GB2254686A - An optical unit for a vehicle,having an embellisher - Google Patents

An optical unit for a vehicle,having an embellisher Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2254686A
GB2254686A GB9207698A GB9207698A GB2254686A GB 2254686 A GB2254686 A GB 2254686A GB 9207698 A GB9207698 A GB 9207698A GB 9207698 A GB9207698 A GB 9207698A GB 2254686 A GB2254686 A GB 2254686A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
embellisher
optical unit
reflector
reflectors
glass
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
GB9207698A
Other versions
GB2254686B (en
GB9207698D0 (en
Inventor
Jean-Claude Puente
Antoine Deslandres
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.)
Valeo Vision SAS
Original Assignee
Valeo Vision SAS
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 Valeo Vision SAS filed Critical Valeo Vision SAS
Publication of GB9207698D0 publication Critical patent/GB9207698D0/en
Publication of GB2254686A publication Critical patent/GB2254686A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2254686B publication Critical patent/GB2254686B/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
    • B60Q1/0029—Spatial arrangement
    • B60Q1/0041—Spatial arrangement of several lamps in relation to each other
    • 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
    • F21S41/20—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
    • F21S41/30—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
    • F21S41/50—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by aesthetic components not otherwise provided for, e.g. decorative trim, partition walls or covers
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S43/00—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights
    • F21S43/20—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights characterised by refractors, transparent cover plates, light guides or filters
    • F21S43/26—Refractors, transparent cover plates, light guides or filters not provided in groups F21S43/235 - F21S43/255
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S43/00—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights
    • F21S43/30—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights characterised by reflectors
    • F21S43/31—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
    • F21S43/00—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights
    • F21S43/50—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights characterised by aesthetic components not otherwise provided for, e.g. decorative trim, partition walls or covers
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21W—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO USES OR APPLICATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS
    • F21W2103/00—Exterior vehicle lighting devices for signalling purposes
    • F21W2103/20—Direction indicator lights

Abstract

An optical unit for a motor vehicle, for example comprising a headlamp (P) and a direction indicator (F) behind a common cover glass (12), has two reflectors (16, 22) with a free space (E) between them. A reflective embellisher (24) conceals this space, and has a curved surface such that its appearance when seen through the glass is homogeneous with that of the adjacent reflectors, the curved surface lying generally parallel to the cover glass (12). <IMAGE>

Description

AN OPTICAL UNIT FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE, HAVING AN IMPROVED EMBELLISHER This invention relates generally to optical units for motor vehicles, that is to say lighting units such as (for example) headlamps.
In optical units comprising one or more lighting devices, and in particular in an optical unit arranged for mounting in the front of the vehicle and including a headlamp, with an indicating display, such as an intermittent direction indicator, being mounted by the side of the headlamp, it is necessary (either for structural reasons or in order to comply with regulations) to leave a free space at the side of the headlamp or between the headlamp and the direction indicator.
In order to prevent this free space giving the impression, when seen through the glass, of a dark region by comparison with the relatively brilliant reflector or reflectors, when the lighting devices are extinguished and seen from the outside, being subjected to incident light from outside, it is known to conceal this space by means of an embellisher.
This embellisher may for example be of metallised plastic material such as to offer a degree of brilliance which is comparable with that of the neighbouring reflector or reflectors. However, the conventional form of construction for such an embellisher is in the form of an essentially flat surface which is located relatively close to the closure glass of the optical unit. As a result, it tends to be much brighter, under the conditions of observation described above, than the neighbouring reflector or reflectors. Thus the desired homogeneity of appearance between the embellisher and the reflector or reflectors is in fact not achieved with such an embellisher.
An object of the present invention is to overcome this drawback, to which end, according to the invention, in an optical unit for a motor vehicle, comprising at least one lighting device including a reflector and a closure glass, with a free space being defined adjacent to a said reflector, a reflective embellisher is provided for covering the said space, the embellisher having a curved surface orientated essentially parallel to the cover glass and being such that its appearance when seen through the glass is substantially homogeneous with that of the neighbouring reflector.
The surface of the embellisher may be either concave or convex.
Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a general assembly view, in horizontal cross section, of an optical unit in a first embodiment of the invention Figure 2 is a view in horizontal cross section showing part of the optical unit in a second embodiment of the invention; and Figure 3 is a view in horizontal cross section showing, diagrammatically, a further modification.
Reference is first made to Figure 1, in which an optical unit for mounting in the front of a motor vehicle comprises a housing 10 which is closed at the front by a glass 12 and which contains, side by side, a headlamp P and an indicator display F. The headlamp may for example be a conventional headlamp of the kind having a main beam and a dipped beam, while the display F is typically an intermittent direction indicator. The glass 12 is a single component which is common to both the headlamp and the direction indicator.
The headlamp essentially comprises a lamp 14 and a reflector 16. The housing 10 has an aperture 10a in line with the lamp 14, and is closed by a removable hood 18 which enables access to be obtained through the back of the reflector 16, especially for purposes of replacing the lamp 14. The direction indicator F comprises a lamp 20 and a reflector 22. As can be seen in Figure 1, a relatively large space E, which is typically of several centimetres, exists between the opposed side edges of the two reflectors 16 and 22, for reasons which need not be explained here.
In the first embodiment of the invention seen in Figure 1, this space E is concealed by an embellishing element 24 having a curved profile when seen in horizontal cross section, being in this example outwardly concave. The embellisher 24 prevents a dark and ugly zone being visible when the unit is extinguished and seen from the front. In vertical cross section the profile of the embellisher 24 may be either straight or curved, but it is preferably so designed as to follow the vertical profile of the glass in the same vertical cross section, being essentially parallel with the glass.
Under these circumstances, when the unit is seen from outside, the headlamp and the direction indicator being extinguished, then under conditions of incident light, the appearance of the embellisher 24 is homogeneous with the appearance of the two adjacent reflectors. More precisely, the curvature that is given to the embellisher enables the incident light to be diffused over a substantial angular interval, thus reducing its general brilliance so as to make it essentially comparable with that of the reflectors.
In this way, when the optical unit is exposed to external incident light, its appearance is more regular over its whole extent. This has a marked effect on its aesthetic appearance.
In this example, the embellisher 24 is made of a plastics material having a metallised outer surface, and is a lateral extension of the headlamp reflector 16. However, the embellisher could also be made integral with the reflector 22 of the direction indicator, or might even be a separate component.
In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the embellisher 24 is convex instead of being concave. However, the effect is similar.
Referring now to Figure 3, this shows part of the reflectors 16, 16' of two headlamps P, P' which are separated by a free space E. In this example, the embellisher 24 is fixed to both reflectors so as to form a monobloc assembly. In this case the embellisher may be made of a metallised plastic material integral with the reflectors.
The present invention is of course in no way limited to the embodiments described above and shown in the drawings, but embraces any form of the invention within the scope of the Claims. In particular, an embellisher in accordance with the present invention may be used in any kind of situation in which one or more reflective surfaces are separated by an empty space.

Claims (7)

1. An optical unit for a motor vehicle, comprising at least one lighting device including a reflector and a closure glass, with a free space being defined adjacent to a said reflector, wherein a reflective embellisher is provided for covering the said space, the embellisher having a curved surface orientated essentially parallel to the cover glass and being such that its appearance when seen through the glass is substantially homogeneous with that of the neighbouring reflector.
2. An optical unit according to Claim 1, wherein the surface of the embellisher is concave outwards.
3. An optical unit according to Claim 1, wherein the surface of the embellisher is convex outwards.
4. An optical unit according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the embellisher is fixed with respect to the reflector.
5. An optical unit according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, comprising a pair of headlamps, wherein the said free space lies between the adjacent edges of the reflectors of the two respective headlamps, with the embellisher being fixed with respect to both reflectors.
6. An optical unit for a motor vehicle, substantially as described in the foregoing description with reference to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.
7. An optical unit substantially described in the foregoing description with reference to Figure 2 or Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings, being in other respects substantially as described with reference to Figure 1 of the said drawings.
GB9207698A 1991-04-12 1992-04-08 An optical unit for a motor vehicle having an improved embellisher Expired - Fee Related GB2254686B (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR9104496A FR2675093B1 (en) 1991-04-12 1991-04-12 OPTICAL BLOCK WITH IMPROVED TRIM, IN PARTICULAR FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE.

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB9207698D0 GB9207698D0 (en) 1992-05-27
GB2254686A true GB2254686A (en) 1992-10-14
GB2254686B GB2254686B (en) 1994-10-05

Family

ID=9411770

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB9207698A Expired - Fee Related GB2254686B (en) 1991-04-12 1992-04-08 An optical unit for a motor vehicle having an improved embellisher

Country Status (2)

Country Link
FR (1) FR2675093B1 (en)
GB (1) GB2254686B (en)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0632228A1 (en) * 1993-07-01 1995-01-04 Valeo Vision Styling or optical element having a shining aspect and a neutral colour- for vehicle headlamps or lamps for signalling
GB2371851A (en) * 2001-01-31 2002-08-07 Hella Kg Hueck & Co Vehicle headlamp incorporating indicator lamp
EP1420204A2 (en) * 2002-11-12 2004-05-19 HONDA MOTOR CO., Ltd. Headlamp assembly for vehicle
CN100415568C (en) * 2002-12-02 2008-09-03 本田技研工业株式会社 Front lamp device
JP2017121929A (en) * 2017-02-16 2017-07-13 本田技研工業株式会社 Lighting tool of saddle-riding type vehicle

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2247311A (en) * 1990-08-17 1992-02-26 Koito Mfg Co Ltd Motor vehicle head lamp

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH01254440A (en) * 1988-04-05 1989-10-11 Koito Mfg Co Ltd Head light for automobile
US5117335A (en) * 1989-12-28 1992-05-26 Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Headlight for vehicle

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2247311A (en) * 1990-08-17 1992-02-26 Koito Mfg Co Ltd Motor vehicle head lamp

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0632228A1 (en) * 1993-07-01 1995-01-04 Valeo Vision Styling or optical element having a shining aspect and a neutral colour- for vehicle headlamps or lamps for signalling
FR2708334A1 (en) * 1993-07-01 1995-02-03 Valeo Vision Element of style or optics, of shiny appearance and neutral tint, for lighting or automotive signaling.
GB2371851A (en) * 2001-01-31 2002-08-07 Hella Kg Hueck & Co Vehicle headlamp incorporating indicator lamp
GB2371851B (en) * 2001-01-31 2004-09-15 Hella Kg Hueck & Co Vehicle headlamp
EP1420204A2 (en) * 2002-11-12 2004-05-19 HONDA MOTOR CO., Ltd. Headlamp assembly for vehicle
EP1420204A3 (en) * 2002-11-12 2005-04-27 HONDA MOTOR CO., Ltd. Headlamp assembly for vehicle
US7090383B2 (en) 2002-11-12 2006-08-15 Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Headlamp assembly with blindfold for vehicle
CN100415568C (en) * 2002-12-02 2008-09-03 本田技研工业株式会社 Front lamp device
JP2017121929A (en) * 2017-02-16 2017-07-13 本田技研工業株式会社 Lighting tool of saddle-riding type vehicle

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2675093A1 (en) 1992-10-16
GB2254686B (en) 1994-10-05
FR2675093B1 (en) 1995-09-29
GB9207698D0 (en) 1992-05-27

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20060408