WO2010120251A1

WO2010120251A1 - Multi-functional motor vehicle light

Info

Publication number: WO2010120251A1
Application number: PCT/SI2009/000017
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mihael Trcek; Marko Mencin
Original assignee: Hella Saturnus Slovenija, Proizvodnja Svetlobne Opreme Za Motorna In Druga Vozila, D.O.O.
Priority date: 2009-04-17
Filing date: 2009-04-17
Publication date: 2010-10-21
Also published as: EP2419672A1

Abstract

The invention refers to a multi-functional motor vehicle light, in which at least two reflectors (1, 2) are mounted within the casing (3), wherein at least one reflector (2) together with a belonging light source (20) is with respect to a corresponding optical axis (100) placed at a longitudinal distance apart from each neighboring reflector (1) and its belonging light source (10), and wherein each reflector (2), which is with respect to a direction (101), in which the light beam exits the light, situated in front of the neighboring reflector (1), comprises at least one at least partially transparent area (24), through which the light beam may pass in said direction (101) from the other reflector (1) towards the front wall (32) of the light. Such multi-functional light excels in small overall dimensions of casing (3) in its transversal plane extending at least approximately perpendicular with respect to the optical axis (100) and correspondingly also with respect to each direction (101), along which the light beams exit the light.

Description

Multi-finctional motor vehicle light

The invention refers to a multi-finctional motor vehicle light, namely to a light, by which at least two reflectors are mounted into a casing, and each of them is adapted to cooperate with at least one light source, wherein each assembly of the reflector and each corresponding light source is foreseen to perform a pre-determined lightning function.

According to the International patent classification, such invention belongs to lightning appliances for motor vehicles within the traffic and transporting, namely to lights, which are primarily intended for illumination of the area in front of the vehicle, and in particular to headlights, fog lights or auxiliary lights, including cornering lamps.

The purpose of the invention is to create a light, by which inside of a casing, which should have minimal possible overall dimensions, which would at least in the plane perpendicularly with respect to the optical axis generally have to correspond to dimensions normally required for mounting of a single reflector, at least two and optionally even more than two reflectors could be mounted, each of them should be adapted for each belonging light source, so that such light could be used for the purposes of performing various functions like a fog lamp and/or cornering lamp and/or a positioning lamp or optionally any other function. Numerous lights are known in the prior art, by which more reflectors are available within a casing, and each of them is adapted to cooperate with a belonging light source. In this, said reflectors are arranged apart from each other either in the vertical and/or horizontal direction i.e. perpendicularly with respect to the optical axis. Such lights are described e.g. in DE 102 28 947 B4 and DE 10 2004 048 224 A. In all these Lights, the light beams are redirected from each corresponding light source in each desired direction outside of the neighboring reflectors, which are mounted within the casing of such light. Such concept generally may lead to a multi-finctional light having several reflectors and light sources within a single casing, wherein each assembly of a reflector and a light source performs a pre-determined function and is used e.g. as a positioning light, a front light, a direction indicator, a fog lamp, a brake light or as a cornering lamp. By taking into consideration that said reflectors are situated adjacent to each other and are - when observed in a horizontal and/or in vertical direction - located apart from each other, the overall dimensions of the casing and consequently of the complete light are correspondingly huge at least in the plane, which extends perpendicularly with respect to the optical axis. Various limitations may occur in the field of vehicle production due to various assembling conditions of lights and also due to taking into consideration various design requirements, which may lead to conclusions that exploitation of such concept is quite impossible.

In US 5,006,120 a light is proposed, by which a single mono-filament light source is mounted within a casing in the optical axis in order to cooperate with two reflectors, namely with the main reflector and an auxiliary reflector. By means of the main reflector, the rays are directed in a direction parallel to the optical axis, while the auxiliary reflector comprises two mirrors, which are generally i.e. in their original position arranged symmetrically with respect to said optical axis and are inclined with respect to each other under the angle between 40 and 80 degrees. A passage persists between said mirrors, through which the rays may freely pass upon being deflected from the main reflector in the area adjacent to the light source. Certain portion of rays may be emitted outside the outer edges of said mirrors of the auxiliary reflector. Said mirrors are mutually interconnected and may be synchronous i.e. simultaneously pivoted for each desired angle relatively to the optical axis, so that certain portion of rays, which are deflected from the main reflector towards the surface of each mirror of said auxiliary reflector may then be deflected into each desired direction, which generally differs from the direction of deflecting the rays from the surface of the mirrors, when these are situated in the original position i.e. symmetrically with respect to the optical axis. Consequently, such light could also be declared as a multi- finctional light, since the rays may be directed either in a direction parallel with regard to the optical axis, or when desired also redirecting of at least a certain portion of rays into a direction, which is inclined at a pre-determined angle with regard to the optical axis. Whenever the rays are deflected into each desired direction in the horizontal plane, then a combination of a cornering lamp and front light is obtained, and when the rays are deflected upwardly or downwardly with respect to the horizontal plane, this could mean a possibility of compensation of change of position of the light due to change of the vehicle position with respect to the ground, which may occur due to uploading of the rear portion of the vehicle by transporting of persons or a cargo, or also when towing a trailer.

A light is proposed in WO 96/27102, where a light source is embedded within a casing in alignment with the optical axis together with a concave reflector, and within said reflector an auxiliary reflector is mounted, which may be displaced along said optical axis. By displacing said auxiliary reflector along the optical axis relatively to the light source a selection is made about that, which portion of rays is deflected on the main reflector and which portion on the auxiliary reflector, by which merely the width of the light beam and consequently each desired intensity of illumination of each desired area in front of the vehicle. Position of the auxiliary reflector may be automatically adjusted e.g. depending on the vehicle velocity. In fact, this is an alternative solution to using various effects of convergent or divergent lenses, which is however connected with certain requirements like the presence of glass on the casing and consequently also certain other deficiencies including e.g. transfer of heat from such closed casing. A further light is described in EP 0 929 774 Bl, in which a concave reflector is foreseen within a casing, which is together with corresponding light source aligned with the optical axis. There is an auxiliary reflector situated within the concave area of the main reflector, and may be displaced along the optical axis. Quite similar like in the previously described light, merely the width of the light beam and consequently each desired intensity of illumination of each desired area in front of the vehicle may be adjusted, on the basis of which then the same light may be used e.g. both as a front light or a parking i.e. positioning light, or also e.g. as a front light or a dipped front light, when desired.

Still further, US 4,831,506 proposes a multi-finctional light, which may be used as a fog light and/or a cornering light. In this, a main reflector together with each belonging light source is positioned in alignment with the optical axis, and in front of said main reflector - when observed in a driving direction - an auxiliary reflector is located, which may be pivoted around the vertical axis. Sais auxiliary reflector is furnished with a cutout, through which the light source is protruding, and rays emitted therein are then deflected on both reflectors in each desired directions. When the auxiliary reflector is situated in its neutral position i.e. symmetrically with respect to the optical axis, then the light is functioning as a classic fog lamp, by which the light beam is directed straightforwardly and essentially parallel with the optical axis. Upon pivoting the auxiliary reflector around the vertical axis, certain portion of light rays is redirected in each desired direction, which is inclined at a desired angle with respect to the optical axis.

Using the light, in which the same light source is intended to perform various several different functions, often appears impressive and quite reasonable, although there are numerous deficiencies connected therewith. It is namely obvious that each disorder of the light source results in the simultaneously absence of more than one function, which may on the road be not only inconvenient but also dangerous. On the other hand it is also known that for the purposes of performing different functions of the light the light sources having different characteristics have to be used, which are often prescribed by standards. In such situations, adjusting optical properties of both reflectors and a common light source in such an extent, that each function could completely meet requirements related to optimal performances or rules, seems to be quite difficult or even impossible. Although each of discussed solutions would be generally feasible, in the practice the shape of casing is never an ideal geometrically form; on the contrary, the shape may essentially differ in various kinds and variations of vehicles of various manufacturers, so that assuring of prescribed optical performances for the purposes of various functions by means of a single light source and several reflectors is normally impossible.

The present invention refers to a multi-finctional motor vehicle light, which comprises a casing, which is, when observed in a driving direction, at least on the front side closed with a transparent wall, through which the light may be transmitted at least in the area around an optical axis. At least two reflectors are available within said casing, each of them being adapted to cooperate with at least one corresponding light source and each of them is furnished with at least one optically active surface area, which is faced towards the belonging light source and is adapted to deflect light rays in each desired direction. Each reflector together with each corresponding light source is capable to provide a pre-determined function of the light, wherein the function of the reflector and the belonging light source differs from the function of at least one further reflector and its belonging light source.

According to the invention, at least two reflectors are arranged within the casing in such a manner that at least one reflector together with each belonging light source is located longitudinally regarding the optical axis apart from each neighboring reflector, wherein each reflector, which is with respect to a direction of emitting light beams located in front of each neighboring reflector, is furnished with at least one at least partially transparent area, through which light rays emitted by another reflector are allowed to pass in the direction towards the front wall of the light. The reflector, which is situated in front of at least one further reflector, comprises at least one optically active reflecting area, which is faced towards the belonging light source, as well as at least one at least partially transparent reflecting inactive optical area, by which in a preferred embodiment at least one reflecting inactive optical area of a reflector located in front of at least one other reflector is transparent.

Preferably, at least one transparent reflecting inactive area of the reflector located in front of at least one further reflector, is a passage, which is selected from the group consisting of an uniform cutout, an uniform recess, a group of cutouts, a sequence of recesses as well as a sequence of perforations having regular or irregular geometric shape.

In a still further embodiment, at least one reflector, which is by taking into consideration a direction of light beams within the casing located behind of at least one reflector, is furnished with an optical active reflecting area faced towards the belonging light source, and in addition to that also with at least one reflecting inactive optical area.

According to a still further embodiment, at least one of reflectors available within the casing, is attached to the casing via an adjusting assembly, by means of which the position thereof and simultaneously also the position of each belonging light source relatively to the casing may be adjusted. In such context the reflector, which is attached to the casing via an adjusting assembly, is preferably situated behind the other reflector, and that the belonging light source is firmly interconnected with said reflector (1) and is moved simultaneously therewith.

According to a still further embodiment, at least one of reflectors is mounted within the light casing in a detachable manner. At the same time at least one of reflectors may be firmly mounted within the light casing, preferably by means of an adhesive assembly, or at least one of reflectors may also be made integrally with the light casing.

Now the invention will be described in more detail on the basis of an embodiment and in correlation with the enclosed drawing, where

Fig. 1 is a top view of a multi-finctional motor vehicle light;

Fig. 2 is a cross-section of the light according to Fig. 1 in the vertical diametric plane; and Fig. 3 is a light, which is schematically shown in the context according to Fig. 2.

A light according to the invention consists of a casing 3, which is closed on its front side 31 - when observed in a driving direction i.e. in a direction of emitting light rays along the axis 101 - closed by means of at least partially transparent wall 32. At least two reflectors 1,2 are mounted within said casing 3, and each of them is adapted to cooperate with at least one light source 10, 20.

In the shown embodiment, the first reflector 1 (Figs. 2 and 3) is embedded by its circumferential surface 11 within said casing 3 and sealed towards the last by means of a seal 33. The light source 10 is placed within a vertex portion 12 of the first reflector 1. Each desired position of said reflector 1 with respect to said casing 3 is adjusted by means of a positioning assembly 34, by means of which then e.g. the light source 10 is situated exactly in the optical axis 100 extending in the longitudinal direction of the light. Appropriate co-operation between said light source 10 and corresponding reflector 1 is then established in such a manner that the light beams from the light source 10 when arriving to active reflecting surfaces 13 are then reflected i.e. redirected in each desired direction 101, in particular in the driving direction and at least approximately parallel to said optical axis 100. In addition to said active reflecting surfaces 13, said reflector 1 also comprises inactive i.e. passive reflecting surfaces 14, on which the said beams are not reflected and not re-directed in said direction 101. According to the invention, at least one further reflector 2 together with corresponding light source 20 is mounted within said casing 3 in addition to said first reflector 1. In general, this second reflector 2 is situated at a desired distance along the optical axis 100 apart from said first reflector 1. Also this second reflector 2 is furnished with optically active surface areas 23, on which light beams generated by the light source 2 are re-directed into each desired direction, as well as with at least one optically inactive transparent area 24, which is in the shown embodiment available in form of a recess.

Said reflector 2 may either be formed integrally with the casing 3, or may also be either firmly or in a detachable manner mounted within said casing 3.

As shown in Fig. 3, light beams generated by the light source 20 are directed towards relevant locations on active reflecting surfaces 23 of the belonging reflector 2 and are there re-directed throughout a transparent front wall 32 of the light casing 3 in each desired direction in front of the light. Both the light source 20 and the reflector 2 are with respect to light capacity, intensity of the light-flow as well as to capability of illuminating each desired area in front of the light adapted to each pre-determined function of such light, which is satisfactory performed regardless to the presence of pre-determined optically inactive areas 24 i.e. passages on the reflector 2.

On the other hand, also the light beams generated by the light source 10 are in relevant locations on active reflecting surfaces 13 of the corresponding reflector 1 redirected throughout corresponding optically inactive transparent areas 24 of another reflector 2 and upon that also throughout the transparent front wall 32 of the casing 3 in a desired direction in front of the light. This light source 10 and the reflector 1 are with respect to light capacity, intensity of the light-flow as well as to capability of illuminating each desired area in front of the light adapted to each pre-determined function of such light. In this, the illuminating functions of the reflector 1 with the belonging light source 10 as well as of the reflector 2 with the belonging light source 20 are generally different and may be performed either simultaneously or also during different time periods.

Thanks to the above described arrangement of reflectors 1, 2 together with each belonging light sources 10, 20 longitudinally apart from each other, each required overall dimensions of said casing at least in a transversal direction perpendicularly with respect to the optical axis 100 may be extremely small and correspond to those required for mounting a single reflector 1 or 2, while the other reflector 2 is situated in front of or behind the reflector 1 without any need to increase overall dimensions of the casing 3 in said transversal direction.

Although the shown embodiment of the light comprises two reflectors 1 , 2 together with each belonging light sources 10, 20, those skilled in the art will understand that at least in certain circumstances more than two reflectors may also be mounted, and each of them may be adapted to co-operate with at least one light source.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. Multi-finctional motor vehicle light, comprising a casing (3), which is, when observed in a driving direction (101), at least on the front side (31) closed with a transparent wall (32), through which the light may be transmitted at least in the area around an optical axis (100), while within said casing (3) at least two reflectors (1, 2) are available, each of them being adapted to cooperate with at least one corresponding light source (10, 20) and each of them is furnished with at least one optically active surface area (13, 23), which is faced towards the belonging light source (10, 20) and is adapted to deflect light rays in each desired direction, so that each reflector (1, 2) together with each corresponding light source (10, 20) is capable to provide a predetermined function of the light, wherein the function of the reflector (1) and the belonging light source (10) differs from the function of at least one further reflector (2) and its belonging light source (20), characterized in that at least two reflectors (1, 2) are arranged within the casing (3) in such a manner that at least one reflector (2) together with each belonging light source (20) is located longitudinally regarding the optical axis (100) apart from each neighboring reflector (1), so that each reflector (2), which is with respect to a direction (101) of emitting light beams located in front of each neighboring reflector (1), is furnished with at least one at least partially transparent area (24), through which light rays emitted by another reflector (1) are allowed to pass in the direction (101) towards the front wall (32) of the light.

2. Light according to Claim 1, characterized in that the reflector (2), which is situated in front of at least one further reflector (1) comprises at least one optically active reflecting area (23), which is faced towards the belonging light source (20), as well as at least one at least partially transparent reflecting inactive optical area (24).

3. Light according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one reflecting inactive optical area (24) of a reflector (2) located in front of at least one other reflector (1) is transparent.

4. Light according to Claim 3, characterized in that that at least one transparent reflecting inactive area (24) of a reflector (2) located in front of at least one further reflector (1) is a passage, which is selected from the group consisting of an uniform cutout, an uniform recess, a group of cutouts, a sequence of recesses as well as a sequence of perforations having regular or irregular geometric shape.

5. Light according to one of Claims 1 - 4, characterized in that at least one reflector (1), which is by taking into consideration a direction (101) of light beams within the casing (3) located behind at least one reflector (2), is furnished with an optical active reflecting area (13) faced towards the belonging light source (10), and in addition to that also with at least one reflecting inactive optical area (14).

6. Light according to one of Claims 1 - 4, characterized in that at least one of reflectors (1, 2), which are available within the casing (3), is attached to the casing via an adjusting assembly (34), by means of which the position thereof and simultaneously also the position of each belonging light source (10, 20) relatively to the casing (3) may be adjusted.

7. Light according to Claim 6, characterized in that the reflector (1), which is attached to the casing (3) via an adjusting assembly (34), is situated behind the other reflector (2), and that the belonging light source (10) is firmly interconnected with said reflector (1) and is moved simultaneously therewith.

8. Light according to one of Claims 1 - 4, characterized in that at least one of reflectors (1, 2) is mounted within the light casing (3) in a detachable manner.

9. Light according to one of Claims 1 - 4, characterized in that at least one of reflectors (1, 2) is firmly mounted within the light casing (3).

10. Light according to Claim 9, characterized in that the at least one of reflectors (1, 2) is interconnected with the light casing (3) by means of an adhesive assembly.

11. Light according to one of Claims 1 - 4, characterized in that at least one of reflectors (1, 2) is made integrally with the light casing (3).