GB2029953A

GB2029953A - A light-source holder for an automobile headlight reflector

Info

Publication number: GB2029953A
Application number: GB7926524A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Societe de Signalisations Automobiles SEIMA
Current assignee: Societe de Signalisations Automobiles SEIMA
Priority date: 1978-09-11
Filing date: 1979-07-30
Publication date: 1980-03-26
Also published as: IT1124559B; IT7923911A0; GB2029953B; FR2435664A1; FR2435664B1; ES483480A0; ES8100834A1; PT69942A; DE2925920A1

Abstract

A light-source holder 1 for an automobile headlight reflector 3, has a base plate 6 to support it on the reflector 3 with a central aperture 7 provided with a peripheral flange 8 in which aperture 7 a light-source 4 may be positioned. The flange contains a first series of recesses at the level of which the base plate 6 projects into the central aperture, to provide means for fixing the bulb 4 correctly in the reflector 3, the bulb being held axially by a spring clip 15 so that lugs 51, 52, 53 on a ring 5 of the bulb 4 are held in a second series of recesses in the flange 8. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A light-source holder for an automobile headlight reflector This invention relates to a light-source holder for an automobile headlight reflector.

There is a need for a light-source holder which will correctly carry out the functions of directing, centering and fixing a light-source for an automobile headlight, while minimising the effects of the tolerances which are obligatory in mass production.

Accordingly the present invention provides a light-source holder for an automobile headlight reflector, having a base plate for supporting the holder on the reflector, in which base plate there is a central aperture provided with a peripheral flange in which aperture a light-source can be received, the flange containing a first series of recesses at which the base plate projects into the central aperture to provide means for fixing the light-source correctly in the reflector.

Preferably the flange contains two first series recesses, at which the base plate projects into the central aperture.

These two first series recesses and the corresponding projections of the base plate advantageously are offset at one and the same side of a diameter of the light-source holder.

The flange may contain a second series of recesses for receiving lateral lugs on a light-source, one of the second series recesses being wider or narrower than the other two second series recesses. Preferably the light-source holder has a clip for securing a light-source to the base plate, the clip having two arms for interacting with the light-source at the level of the first series recesses in the flange.

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a light-source holder according to the invention, provided with a light-source and mounted on a reflector, Figure 2 is a plan view from above of the light-source holder of Figure 1, and Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along the line A-A in Figure 2, with a light-source positioned in the holder.

In the accompanying drawings a light-source holder 1 of the invention is shown fixed onto a reflector 3 of an automobile headlight at 2, by crimping or any other means, and supports a light-source each as a light bulb 4 which has a mounting ring 5, in known manner.

The light-source holder 1,which is formed by stamping and cutting out a sheet of metal, has a base plate 6 containing a central aperture 7.

The aperture 7 is bounded by a flange 8 which forms a turned up edge on the base plate 6.

The flange 8 is adapted to centre the bulb 4 accurately and has two series of recesses. The second series of recesses 9, 10 and 11, is designed to define the axial positioning and directing of the bulb 4 on the holder, while the first series of recesses 12 and 13 is designed to fix the bulb 4 correctly inside the reflector 3.

The recesses 9, 10, 11 are dimensioned and located to receive radial lugs 51, 52 and 53, which are provided on a ring 5 of the bulb 4 for axially positioning and directing the bulb 4. Axial positioning is obtained by holding the lugs 5i, 52, 53 against the base plate 6 in and through the recesses 9, 10 and 11.

The wider or narrower recess 9 is responsible for directing the bulb exactly. This recess 9 has rigorously controlled dimensions and receives the lug 51 without any play. The recess 9 is located on the diametric axis C-C of the base plate, passing through the centre of the aperture 7 and through a catch 11 (Figure 2) which is formed on the base plate to position the light-source holder relative to the reflec tor 3.

The recesses 10 and 11 are arranged symmetrically relative to the axis C-C and receive the lugs 52, 53 with a clearance. These lugs, together with the lug So, then give the ring 5 a stable support on the light-source holder.

The bulb 4 is held in its axial position by the clip 15. This is made of spring wire preferably of steel which is bent and formed into a substantially U or elbow shape as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The clip 15 has two arms 16 and 17 which are symmetrical relative to the axis C-C. The arms 16 and 17 end in gripping eyelets 16, and 17 and are connected by a substantially straight median zone 18.

The ends of the median zone 18 of the clip form loops 19 for engaging hooks or notches 20 formed on the outer edge of the light-source holder 1.

The two arms 15 and 16 of the clip can similarly be accommodated in angled slots 21 and 22, formed in the raised external edges of the light-source holder 1. The slots 21 and 22 allow the arms of the clip to be placed in the open position, as shown in Figure 2 by the arm 17, or in the closed and locked position as shown in Figure 2 by the arm 16. Figure 2 also shows in dotted line outline taken about the diameter B-B, a flattened plan view of part of the raised edges of the holder 1 showing the shape of the slots 21 and 22.

The arms 16 and 17 each have a saw tooth bend 23 directed, in use, towards the aperture 7, the side 24 of each of the saw teeth being offset from the plane D of the clip (Figure 3) and directed towards the base plate 6. In addition, the end of the offset side 24 of the arm forms a rounded portion at 25, which defines the zone where the arm 16 bears on the ring 5.

It will be seen from the drawings that the saw teeth 23 are formed with their offset side 24 located at the level of the recesses 12 and 13, in order to allowthe arms of the clip to move resiliently.

At the level of the recesses 12 and 13 the base plate 6 is provided with projections 12, and 13a, directed towards the inside of the aperture 7. The marginal edges of the projections preferably follow an arc of a circle, corresponding to the diameter 4 of the portion 54 of the ring 5. The projections 12, and 13, are arranged symmetrically relative to the axis C-C and in substantially diametrically opposed posi tions. The recesses 12 and 13 are designed to give passage to the rounded portions 25 of the arms 15 and 16 of the clip, while the projections 121 and 137 are designed to prevent the bulb 4 from rocking when the arms 15 and 16 are successively put into positions.

Claims

1. A light-source holder for an automobile headlight reflector, having a base plate for supporting the holder on the reflector, in which base plate there is a central aperture provided with a peripheral flange, in which aperture a light-source can be received, the flange containing a first series of recesses at which the base plate projects into the central aperture to provide means for fixing the light-source correctly in the reflector.

2. A light-source holder according to claim 1, wherein the flange contains two first series recesses at which the base plate projects into the central aperture.

3. A light-source holder according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the flange contains a second series of recesses for receiving lateral lugs on a lightsource for locating a light-source relative to a reflector, one of the second series recesses being wider than the other two second series recesses.

4. A light-source of claim 3, wherein the first series recesses are symmetrical relative to the diameter of the central aperture, passing through the widest recess.

5. A light-source holder according to any one of the preceding claims, including a substantially Ushaped clip for securing a light-source to the base plate, the clip having two arms for interacting with the light-sourceatthe level of the first series recesses in the flange and the base plate having raised external edges for engagement by the clip.

6. A light-source holder according to claim 5, wherein the clip is made from spring wire, each arm having a portion bent in the shape of a saw tooth which in use is directed towards the central aperture for interaction with a light-source, with one side of each of the saw teeth offset from the plane of the clip.

7. A light-source holder for an automobile headlight reflector, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

8. An automobile headlight reflector having a light-source holder according to claim 1, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.