US3904864A - Vehicle lamp assemblies - Google Patents

Vehicle lamp assemblies Download PDF

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Publication number
US3904864A
US3904864A US474104A US47410474A US3904864A US 3904864 A US3904864 A US 3904864A US 474104 A US474104 A US 474104A US 47410474 A US47410474 A US 47410474A US 3904864 A US3904864 A US 3904864A
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United States
Prior art keywords
reflector
filament
vehicle lamp
assembly
respect
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 - Lifetime
Application number
US474104A
Inventor
Kenneth James Jones
Robert Arthur Hargroves
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Carello Lighting PLC
Original Assignee
Kenneth James Jones
Robert Arthur Hargroves
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Publication of US3904864A publication Critical patent/US3904864A/en
Assigned to CARELLO LIGHTING PLC, A BRITISH COMPANY reassignment CARELLO LIGHTING PLC, A BRITISH COMPANY ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: LUCAS ELECTRICAL LIMITED, A BRITISH COMPANY
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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
    • B60Q1/02—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments
    • B60Q1/04—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments the devices being headlights
    • B60Q1/16—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments the devices being headlights illuminating the way asymmetrically
    • 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
    • F21S41/12—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by the light source characterised by the type of emitted light
    • F21S41/125—Coloured light
    • 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
    • F21S41/20—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by refractors, transparent cover plates, light guides or filters
    • F21S41/25—Projection lenses
    • 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
    • F21S41/285—Refractors, transparent cover plates, light guides or filters not provided in groups F21S41/24-F21S41/28
    • 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
    • F21S41/40—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by screens, non-reflecting members, light-shielding members or fixed shades
    • 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
    • F21S41/60—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by a variable light distribution
    • F21S41/65—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by a variable light distribution by acting on light sources
    • F21S41/657—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by a variable light distribution by acting on light sources by moving light sources
    • 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
    • F21S41/17—Discharge light sources
    • F21S41/173—Fluorescent light sources
    • 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
    • F21W—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO USES OR APPLICATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS
    • F21W2102/00—Exterior vehicle lighting devices for illuminating purposes
    • F21W2102/10—Arrangement or contour of the emitted light
    • F21W2102/13—Arrangement or contour of the emitted light for high-beam region or low-beam region
    • 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
    • F21W2102/00—Exterior vehicle lighting devices for illuminating purposes
    • F21W2102/10—Arrangement or contour of the emitted light
    • F21W2102/13—Arrangement or contour of the emitted light for high-beam region or low-beam region
    • F21W2102/135—Arrangement or contour of the emitted light for high-beam region or low-beam region the light having cut-off lines, i.e. clear borderlines between emitted regions and dark regions
    • F21W2102/155—Arrangement or contour of the emitted light for high-beam region or low-beam region the light having cut-off lines, i.e. clear borderlines between emitted regions and dark regions having inclined and horizontal cutoff lines
    • 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
    • F21W2102/00—Exterior vehicle lighting devices for illuminating purposes
    • F21W2102/10—Arrangement or contour of the emitted light
    • F21W2102/17—Arrangement or contour of the emitted light for regions other than high beam or low beam

Definitions

  • the filament is inclined at an angle of between 30 and 45 inclusively. with respect to the said horizontal plane.

Abstract

A vehicle lamp assembly comprises a dished reflector in which is disposed a filament. The filament is disposed at an angle, preferably 30* to 45*, to a horizontal plane in which a principal axis of the reflector lies. The filament may lie with its axis perpendicularly disposed with respect to the principal axis. The lamp assembly may further include a parabolic mirror or lens spaced from the reflector and a mask between the reflector and the mirror or lens.

Description

United States Patent Jones et al. Sept. 9, 1975 [54] VEHICLE LAMP ASSEMBLIES 21173489 3/1954 Critoph et a1, 240/413 x 3 3l7 772 5/1967 Lindae 313/113 [76] lnvemorsl Kenna James 11 Arago 3 553 519 1/1971 Hicks 240 4135 R Sutton Coldfield, 3569.693 3/1971 Lindae et a1 240/71 R x Warwickshire; Robert Arthur Hargroves, 52 Rowlands CrescenL warwickshlre both of Primary ExaminerRichard A. Wintercorn g Arlorney, Agent, or Firm-Waters, Schwartz & Nissen [22] Filed: May 28, 1974 [2|] Appl. N01: 474,104
[30] Foreign Application Priority Data [57] ABSTRACT May 29, 1973 United Kingdom 25438/73 i A vehicle lamp assembly comprises a dished reflector [52] U S CI g u 2 0 7 R; 2 0 240/4L35 R. in WhiCh iS diSpOSEBd a filament. The filament is dis 240/4601; 3 3/1 X I posed at an angle, preferably 30 to 45, to a horizon- [5 1 lnL 2 BGOQ 1/00; B600 3/00. B600 1 1/00; tal plane in which a principal axis of the reflector lies.
z 13/04 The filament may lie with its axis perpendicularly dis- [58] Field of Search H 240/7] R 4L3 4135 R, posed with respect to the principal axis The lamp as- 240/460]; 313/1 1 1- I I31 l [0 sembly may further include a parabolic mirror or lens spaced from the reflector and a mask between the re [56] References Cited flector and the mirror or lens.
UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,338,901 I/l944 Chiti 24U/4l.3 4 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures r IZ PATENTED SEP 9 75 FIGI.
FIGZ.
VEHICLE LAMP ASSEMBLIES This invention relates to vehicle lamp assemblies.
According to the present invention. there is provided a vehicle lamp assembly comprising a dished reflector. and an electric filament disposed in said dished reflector, said electric filament having an axis which extends transversely with respect to a principal axis of the refiector and which is inclined with respect to a horizontal plane in which the principal axis lies.
Preferably, the filament is inclined at an angle of between 30 and 45 inclusively. with respect to the said horizontal plane.
Most advantageously. the axis of the electric filament lies perpendicularly with respect to the principal axis of the reflector.
The vehicle lamp assembly may further include optical projection means arranged to receive and optically modify the pattern of light issuing, in use, from the dished reflector.
The electric filament may be a conventional metal filament or a quartzhalogen filament.
Conveniently. a mask is provided in front of the reflector to modify the pattern of light issuing, in use. from the reflector. The mask may be provided between the reflector and the optical projection means.
The optical projection means may be a lens or lenses, or it may be a curved reflector e.g., a parabolic mirror.
The inclination of the electric filament in the above described manner enables the image of the filament to be aimed, in use, along a roadside curb which improves the characteristics of the lamp assembly as far as the drivers visibility is concerned.
An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example. with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:
FIG. I. is a schematic view of a vehicle lamp assembly according to the present invention. and
FIG. 2. is a schematic front elevation view of a lamp reflector used in the lamp assembly of FIG. 1.
Referring to the drawing. the vehicle lamp assembly, which is for use as a vehicle headlamp of the dipped type, comprises generally a dished reflector 10, a generally rectangular convex lens II spaced axially from the reflector l and having its principal axis lying on the principal axis of the reflector l0, and a mask l2 extending perpendicularly with respect to the principal axis of the reflector l0. Mounted within reflector in an inner focal plane thereof is a tungsten filament 14 which extends perpendicularly with respect to the principal axis of reflector I0 and which has an axis lying at an angle to a horizontal plane in which the reflector principal axis lies. The angle, designated a in FIG. 2 may be between and 45 but, in this embodiment, is
The mask 12 has an upper edge 15 which is disposed just below the principal axis of the reflector 10.
In use, the light pattern emanating from filament 14 and reflector 10 is modified by the mask I2 before passing through lens 11 in such a manner that an upper portion of the light pattern which would otherwise emerge from lens I] is cut off. The provision of the mask [2 enables the lamp assembly to be used as a socalled dipped headlamp on a vehicle. The angling of the filament 14 relative to the principal axis of reflector 10 in the manner described above enables the image of the filament projected by the lamp assembly to be aimed along a roadside curb which the lamp assembly is fitted to a motor vehicle. Aiming of the filament in this manner is considered to improve the visibility of the curb at least as far as the driver of the vehicle is concerned.
The lamp assembly described in the present application is particularly suitable for use with the curved reflector described in our co-pending British patent application No. 25248/73 dated May 25, I973.
By the expression horizontal plane as used herein with respect to the positioning of the filament relative to the reflector is meant the positioning of the filament when the reflector is in an orientation corresponding to that in which it is designed to be used.
We claim:
I. A vehicle lamp assembly comprising a dished reflector which is at least partially ellipsoidal in shape and has an inner focal plane and an optical axis. and an electric filament disposed in said dished reflector at said inner focal plane thereof, said electric filament having an axis which extends transversely with respect to a horizontal plane containing the optical axis of the reflector. said filament being inclined at an angle of 30 to inclusive with respect to said horizontal plane.
2. An assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said filament extends in a plane perpendicular to said optical axis.
3. An assembly as claimed in claim I, further including optical projection means arranged to receive and optically modify the pattern of light issuing from the dished reflector.
4. An assembly as claimed in claim 1 comprising a mask in front of the reflector to modify the pattern of light issuing. in use, from the reflector.

Claims (4)

1. A vehicle lamp assembly comprising a dished reflector which is at least partially ellipsoidal in shape and has an inner focal plane and an optical axis, and an electric filament disposed in said dished reflector at said inner focal plane thereof, said electric filament having an axis which extends transversely with respect to a horizontal plane containing the optical axis of the reflector, said filament being inclined at an angle of 30* to 45* inclusive with respect to said horizontal plane.
2. An assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said filament extends in a plane perpendicular to said optical axis.
3. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, further including optical projection means arranged to receive and optically modify the pattern of light issuing from the dished reflector.
4. An assembly as claimed in claim 1 comprising a mask in front of the reflector to modify the pattern of light issuing, in use, from the reflector.
US474104A 1973-05-29 1974-05-28 Vehicle lamp assemblies Expired - Lifetime US3904864A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB2543873A GB1463312A (en) 1973-05-29 1973-05-29 Vehicle lamp assemblies

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3904864A true US3904864A (en) 1975-09-09

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ID=10227674

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US474104A Expired - Lifetime US3904864A (en) 1973-05-29 1974-05-28 Vehicle lamp assemblies

Country Status (8)

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US (1) US3904864A (en)
JP (1) JPS5020586A (en)
BE (1) BE815601A (en)
DE (2) DE7418852U (en)
FR (1) FR2231920B1 (en)
GB (1) GB1463312A (en)
IT (1) IT1013224B (en)
SE (1) SE7406900L (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3955077A (en) * 1973-09-29 1976-05-04 The Lucas Electrical Company Limited Lamp reflectors and motor vehicle lamp assemblies incorporating same

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2338901A (en) * 1939-05-22 1944-01-11 Chiti Aroldo Vehicle lamp
US2673489A (en) * 1950-09-21 1954-03-30 American Optical Corp Incandescent light source and condensing system for optical projectors
US3317772A (en) * 1963-05-07 1967-05-02 Bosch Gmbh Robert Headlight arrangement for automotive vehicles including a reflector and a light shield means
US3553519A (en) * 1967-08-16 1971-01-05 Lucas Industries Ltd High intensity vehicle lamp with shield preventing unwanted reflection
US3569693A (en) * 1968-04-20 1971-03-09 Bosch Gmbh Robert Headlight for automotive vehicles

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR1319105A (en) * 1961-04-04 1963-02-22 Philips Nv Headlight for motor vehicles
FR1297086A (en) * 1961-08-09 1962-06-22 Philips Nv Headlight for motor vehicles
FR1309130A (en) * 1962-01-05 1962-11-09 Philips Nv Automobile headlight

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2338901A (en) * 1939-05-22 1944-01-11 Chiti Aroldo Vehicle lamp
US2673489A (en) * 1950-09-21 1954-03-30 American Optical Corp Incandescent light source and condensing system for optical projectors
US3317772A (en) * 1963-05-07 1967-05-02 Bosch Gmbh Robert Headlight arrangement for automotive vehicles including a reflector and a light shield means
US3553519A (en) * 1967-08-16 1971-01-05 Lucas Industries Ltd High intensity vehicle lamp with shield preventing unwanted reflection
US3569693A (en) * 1968-04-20 1971-03-09 Bosch Gmbh Robert Headlight for automotive vehicles

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3955077A (en) * 1973-09-29 1976-05-04 The Lucas Electrical Company Limited Lamp reflectors and motor vehicle lamp assemblies incorporating same

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE2426336A1 (en) 1975-01-02
GB1463312A (en) 1977-02-02
BE815601A (en) 1974-09-16
FR2231920A1 (en) 1974-12-27
FR2231920B1 (en) 1976-06-25
JPS5020586A (en) 1975-03-04
SE7406900L (en) 1974-12-02
IT1013224B (en) 1977-03-30
DE7418852U (en) 1977-06-23

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: CARELLO LIGHTING PLC, A BRITISH COMPANY, ENGLAND

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:LUCAS ELECTRICAL LIMITED, A BRITISH COMPANY;REEL/FRAME:005789/0901

Effective date: 19910225