GB2192449A - Headlight - Google Patents

Description

1 G13 2 192 449 A 1

SPECIFICATION deeper-forward irradiation.

In the casewheretwo filaments are used likethis, Headlightfor usewith vehicles however, the bulb and its base must be made large-sized to housethe two filaments therein. The Background of the invention 70 effective reflecting area of the reflector isthus

Reldof the invention reduced, causing the amount of light irradiated The present invention relates to a headlightfor use forward to be reduced, too. Further, the front cannot with vehicles and, more particularly, it relates to a be lighted deep atthe time when the passing beam is headlight such as main front lights for automobiles used because the amount of light irradiated is 4 10 and fog lamps attached, as auxiliaryfront light 75 reduced.

accessories, to the automobiles. In the case of thefog lamp used as the auxiliary front light, we sometimes waritto see deep intothe ti Priorart front or recognizethe side widelywhile driving the The headlightfor use with vehicles is needed to vehicle in the fog. In the case of the common fog light deep into the front of the vehicle to enablethe 80 lamp, however, the area which is irradiated bythe driverto drive his vehicle without any trouble but not fog, lamp is left certain, because the bulb having a to blind those drivers who drive in passing vehicles. filament and the reflector are usuallyfixed at certain Two filaments are therefore used and switched over positions. The fog lamps aretherefore grouped to i to create driving and passing beams. An example of the light-focusing and -diffusing types. The driver the headlight in which two filaments are used like 85 selects one or both of them to be attached to his this is shown in Figure 1. vehicle, depending upon his need. When one of This headlight comprises a front lens 1, a reflector them is attached, however, he feels inconvenient 2, a bulb 3 arranged along an optical axis A of the according to circumstances while driving his vehicle, reflector 2, an upper half 10 arranged on the optical and when both of them are selected, it is axis A and having a first focus F1, and a lower half 11 90 substantially expensive.

arranged underthe optical axis A and having a second focus F2. The focal length of the second focus Summary of the invention

F2 is set longer than that of the f irst focus F1. An object of the present invention is to provide a The bulb 3 includes a low beam filament 4 (which headlight for use with vehicles capable of creating will be hereinafter referred to as f irstf ilament) 95 passing and driving beams without reducing the arranged between the first F1 and the second focus amountof light irradiated when it is used as the main F2 and connected to lead lines 6 and 7 to become front light orthe like.

lighted atthe time when the passing and driving Another object of the present invention is to beams are to be turned on. The bulb 3further provide a headlightfor use with vehicles switched includes a high beam filament 5 (which will be 100 overto enable the driverto see deep into the front or hereinafter referred to as second filament) recognize the side widely without reducing the positioned atthe second focus F2 and connected to amount of light irradiated when it is used asthefog lead lines 6 and 8 to become lighted atthe timewhen lamp.

the driving beam is to be turned on. A shade 9 These and other objects of the present invention shaped like a round tray is attached to the lead line 6 105 can be achieved by a headlight comprising a and the light emitted from the second filament 5 housing, a reflector arranged in the housing and toward the upper half 10 is shielded bythis shade 9. provided with a bulb substantially in the center In the case of the above-oescribed headlight, only thereof, a support mechanism for supporting the the first filament 4 is turned on atthe time when the reflector swingable, and a driver meansfor swinging passing-by beam is needed. The light emitted from 1:10 the reflector left and right as well as up and down the firstfilament 4 is reflected by the upper and lower round the support means to change the direction of halves 10 and 11 of the reflector 2 to createforward light irradiated.

but downward irradiation. More specifically, the According to the headlightfor usewith vehicles upward light of the firstfilament4 is reflected having the above- described arrangement, the forward butdownward by the upper half 10 because 115 ref lector can be swung left and right as well as up it is reflected by that portion of the upper half 10 and down to change the direction of light irradiated which isfartherthan thefirstfocus F1, whilethe so as to meet any of circumstance. Instead of downward lightthereof is reflected also forward but changing overfrom onefilamentt ' otheother, downward by the lower half 11 because it is reflected therefore, the filament used is single and the amount bythat portion of the lower half 11 which is nearer 120 of light irradiated is left unchanged. When the than the second focus F2. headlight is used as any of the driving and passing The first and second f ilaments 4 and 5 areturned beams, therefore, the visibility is not lowered to on atthe time"when the driving beam is needed. The thereby enhance the safety. Further, any lightening forward but downward irradiation is thus created by device of plural types is not needed in a vehicleto the firstfilament 4. In addition, the light emitted from 125 thereby enhance the economy.

the second filament 5 is reflected bythe lower half 11 Embodiments of the present invention will be of the reflector 2 to createforward irradiation which described in more detail with reference to the is deeper into the frontthan the forward but accompanying drawings.

downward irradiation. Asthe result,they are combined to create forward but downward and 2 G13 2 192 449 A 2 !Brief description of the drawing iformed by these pivot rod 31 A and pivot holder 84.

Figure 1 is a sectional view showing the The first and second driver devices 28 and 29 are arran gementof the conventional headlightforuse differentin position but same in construction. As with vehicles. shown in Figure 2, the first and second driver devices Figure 2 is a front view showing an embodiment of 70 28 and 29 are positioned substantially on a diagonal the present invention wherein a lightening device for: line which passes through the bulb 25 as its center, use with vehicles according to the present invention i while the support mechanism 27 is positioned on is used as the headlight. another diagonal line which also passesthrough the Figure 3 is a sectional viewtaken along a line III - III bulb 25 as its center, when the headlight 21 isviewed in Figure 2 and showing the inside arrangement of 1 75 from its front side. A I i.- - the headlight. Each of thefirst and second driverdevices 28 and Figure4is a sectional viewtaken along a line IV- 29 comprises an attachment plece35fixed tothe IV in Figure 2 and showing the arrangement inside backside of the reflector24, a pivot holder36fixed to the headlight. P the attachment piece 35, a pivot37 held bythe pivot Figure5is a sectional viewtaken along a line V-V 80 holder36, an electromagnetic driver device38 in Figure 2 and showing the arrangement of a third arranged outside the housing 23, and a connector driver means in a second example of the headlight rod 39 for connecting the pivot 37 to the according to the present invention. electromagnetic driver device 38.

Figure 6is a sectional view similarto Figure 4 and An end of the attachment piece 35 is fixed to the showing the arrangement of a fourth driver means in 85 reflector 24. The attachment piece 35 extending the second example of the headlight. backward from the backside of the reflector 24 has a hole 35B atthe other bent end thereof.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiment The pivot holder36 isfitted in and engagedwith

Figure 2 is a front view showing afirst the hole 35B at one end 36Athereof, while it is embodiment of the present invention which is used 90 provided with a pivot seat 36B atthe otherend asthe headlight. Figure 3 is a sectional viewtaken thereofl said pivot seat 36B having a curved inner along a line III - III in Figure 2 and Figure 4 isa face which corresponds to a curved outerface of the sectional viewtaken along a line IV- IV in Figure 2. pivot 37. The pivot seat 36B is providedwith a slit 36C In Figures 2 through 4, numeral 21 represents a continuous from the front end thereof.

headlight comprising a lens 22, a housing 23 95 The connector rod 39 is slidably held in a bearing provided with the lens 22 at the front face thereof, hole 40A in a bearing section 40 of the housing 23, and a reflector 24 movable in relation to the housing with its one end fitted into a hole 37A in the center of 23. This headlight2l is therefore of the the pivot 37 and its other end provided with a pivot reflector-movable type. Numeral 25 denotesa bulb 39A. The pivot 37 fixed to one end of the connector attached to the reflector 24, and 26 a rubber cover 100 rod 36 is fitted in and engaged with the pivot seat attached onto the rear opening of the bulb 25. A base 36B, forcedly spreading the slit 36C, and itforms a 25A of the bulb 25 is closely contacted with the universal joint 41 along with the pivot holder36.

rubber cover 26 and exposed outside the rubber Numeral 42 atthe bearing section 40 represents a cover26. ring-shaped water-proof packing, and 43 a holderfor The reflector 24 is supported bythe housing 23 at 105 holding the waterproof packing 42. The holder43 is three points thereof. More specifically, it is fixed to the housing-23 by means of screws 44.

supported by a support mechanism 27 at one of A solenoid mechanism is used in the these three points and by a driver means atthe electromagnetic driver device 38 and it comprises a remaining two points, said driver means serving to cylindrical case 45 consisting of a half 45A and a half swing the reflector 24 round the support mechanism 110 4513, an electromagnetic coil 46.arranged in the case 27 and comprising first and second driver devices 28 45, an iron-made actuator 47 actuated bythe and 29. electromagnetic coil 46, and a coil spring 48 for The support, mechanism 27 comprises an urging the actuator47 in a direction opposite tothe L-shaped attachment piece30 fixed to the backside electromagnetic coil 46. The case 45 is fixed to the of the reflector 24, a pivot rod 31 fixedlyfitted into a 115 housing 23 by means of an attachment piece 49.

hole 30B in a bent end 30A of the attachment piece 30 The actuator47 has an iron-made disc 50 fixed to - atthe base thereof and provided with a spherical one end thereof and a pivot holder 51 fixed to the pivot 31A atthe front end thereof, and a pivot holder other end thereof. The actuator47 is slidably held by 34fixed on a seat 23A of the housing 23 atthe base the case 45, passing through a front hole 45C of the Wthereof by means of screws 33 and provided 120 case 45 at one side thereof while a hole 45E in an with a pivot seat34A atthefront end thereof, said intermediate partition wall 45D at the other side pivot seat 34A having a curved innerface thereof. The pivot holder 51 is provided with a pivot corresponding to acurved outerface of the pivot31A seat5lAatthe front end thereof, said pivotseat51A of the pivot rod 31. The pivot seat 34A of the pivot - having a curved inner face which corresponds to a holder 34 is provided with a slit 34B continuous from 125 cu rved outer face of the pivot 39A at the other end of the front end thereof. The pivot 31A at the front end the connector rod 39, and the pivot seat 51 A is ofthepivotrod3l isfitted into the pivot seat 34Aof provided with a slit 51 B continuous from the front the pivot holder 34, forcedly spreading the slit 3413, end thereof. The pivot 39A of the connector rod 39 is when the pivot rod 31 is connected and assembled fitted in and assembled with the pivot seat 51A, with the pivot holder 34. A universal joint 27A is 130 forcedly spreading the slit 51 B, anda universal joint 3 GB 2 192 449 A 3 52 is formed by this connector rod 39 and the pivot backside of the reflector 24, a holder 36 fixed to the holder 51. The universal joint 52 serves to correct any attachment piece 35, a pivot 37 held by the holder 36 error caused when the electromagnetic driver device to serve as a support member, a reversible driver 38 is assembled with the housing 23. When no motor 57 arranged outside the housing 23 by means_ current is applied to the electromagnetic coil 46 in 70 of a support leg 61, and a screw rod 58 extending the electromagnetic driver device 38, the actuator47 between the driver motor 57 and the pivot 37.

is urged bythe spring 48 to the front position where The attachment piece 35 is fixed to the reflector24 its disc 50 strikes againstthe partition wall 45D of the at one end thereof. The attachment piece 35 case 45, thereby keeping the reflector 24 swung extending backward from the backside of the forward through the connector rod 39. When current 75 reflector 24 is bent atthe other end thereof and is applied to the electromagnetic coil 46 and the provided with a hole 35B atthis bent end 35A.

electromagnetic coil 46 is thus excited, the disc 50 is The holder 36 is fitted in and engaged with the hole attracted againstthe spring 48 bythe 35B at one end 36Athereof. The holder 36 is provided electromagnetic coil 46 to slide the - actuator47 with a pivot seat 36B atthe other end thereof, said backward and-hold itthere. When it is underthis 80 pivot seat 36B having a curved innerface which state, the reflector 24 is kept swung backward corresponds to a curved outerface of the pivot37 through the connector rod 39. and being provided with a slit 36C continuous from According to the lightening device for use with the front end thereof.

vehicles having the above-described arrangement, The screw rod 58 is slidably held in a bearing hole mode can be switched over between the driving and 85 40A in a bearing section 40 of the housing 23 and the passing beam when current supplyto the fitted into a hole 37A in the center of the support electromagnetic coils 46 in the first and second means or pivot 37 at one end thereof.

driver devices 28 and 29 is controlled. The pivot 37 fixed to the one end of the screw rod When current is applied notto the electromagnetic 58 is fitted into the pivot seat 36B of the holder36, coil 46 in the second driver device 29 butto the 90 forcedly spreading the slit 36C, and itforms-a electromagnetic coil 46 in the first driver device 28, universal joint 41 along with the holder36. Numeral therefore, the driving beam can be created. The 42 atthe bearing section 40 denotes a ring-shaped actuator47 in the first driver device 28 is moved waterproof packing and 43 a holderfor holding the backward while the actuator 47 in the second driver waterproof packing 42. The holder43 is fixed tothe device 29 is moved forward underthis state, thereby 95 housing 23 by means of screws 44.

keeping the reflector 24swung right and upward A male screw 59 having a certain length isformed round the support mechanism 27. The optical line of on the front end portion of the screw rod 58 while Ef the bulb 25 is thus directed upward to createthe female screw 60 which is engaged with the male driving beam. screw 59 isformed on the innerwall ofthe hole 37A When current is applied nottothe electromagnetic 100in the center of the pivot 37. The screw rod 58 is coil 46 in the f irst driver device 28 but to the engaged with the pivot 37 i n such a way that the electromagnetic coil 46 in the second driver device pivot 37 is moved forward when the driver motor 57 29, the passing beam can be created. The actuator47 is rotated in the forward direction and that it is in the f irst driver device 28 is returned forward while moved backward when the driver motor 57 is rotated the actuator 47 in the second driver device 29 is 105 in the reverse direction.

moved backward underthis state, thereby keeping According to the lightening device forvehicles the reflector 24 swung left and downward round the having the above- described arrangement, support mechanism 27. The optical line of the bulb changeover can be achieved between the driving isthus directed downward to create the and the passing beam when current supplyto the passing-bybeam. 110 driver motors 57 in the third and fourth driver When current supplyto the electromagnetic coils devices 55 and 56 is controlled.

47 in the driver devices 28ind 29 is controlled I ike When the driver motor 57 in the third driver device this, changeover can be achieved between the 55 is rotated in the reverse direction and the driver driving and the passing beam. motor 57 in the fourth driver device 56 is rotated in A screw rod driven by a motor and a nut attached 115 the forward direction, the driving beam can be to the reflector and engaged with the screw rod may created. The screw rod 58 of the third driver device be combined with each other instead of the driver 55 moves the pivot 37 backward while the screw rod devices 28 and 29. 58 of the fourth driver device 56 moves the pivot 37 Figures 5 and 6 show a second example of the -forward, thereby causing the reflector 24 shown in headlight for vehicles according to the present 120 Figures 5 and 6 to be swung right and upward round invention wherein the above-mentioned system of the support mechanism 27. The optical axis of the driving the reflector bythe motor is employed. In this bulb 25 is thus directed upward to create the driving case, Figure 6shows a third driver device 55which beam.

can achievethe same role as the first driver device 28 When the driver motor 57 in the third driver device in the first embodiment of the present invention and 125 55 is rotated in the forward direction andthe driver Figure 6 shows a fourth driver device 56 which can motor 57 in the fourth driver device 56 is rotated in achievethe same role as the second driver device 29 the reverse direction, the passing beam can be in the first embodiment of the present invention. created. The screw rod 58 of the third driver device Each of these third andfourth driver devices 55 55 returnsthe pivot 37 forward while the screw rod and 56 comprises an attachment piece 35 fixed to the 130 58 of the fourth driver device 56 moves the pivot 37 4 G13 2 192 449 A 4 backward, thereby causing th e refle.ctor24 shown in C. 5. A headlight for use with vehicles according to I 1lr Figures5 and 6 to be swung left and downward Iclaim 2 wherein at least one of the driver means for round the support Mechanism 27. The optical axis of Ichanging the direction of irradiated light left and the bulb 25 is thus directed downward to create the I right and up and down includes a reversible driver passing beam. 1 70 imotor.

When current supplyto the-driver motors 57 in the i thirdandfourth driver devices 55 and 56 is controlled, like this, changeover can-be achieved betweenthe Printed for Her Majesty's Stationery Office by driving and the passing-by beam.- Croydon Printing Company (UK) Ltd, 11/87, D8991685.

Published by The Patent Office, 25 Southampton Buildings, London, WC2A 1AY, The front end portion of the screw rod 58 is from which copies maybe obtained.

supported bythe pivot 37, which forms the universal joint, in the case ofthe second embodiment of the present invention. However, it is notnecess.arily supported bythe universal joint but it may be screw-fed by a blockwhich has a screw hole.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to some preferred embodiments thereof, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that va.rious changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims (4)

1. A headlightfor use with vehicles comprising a housing; a reflector arranged in the housing and provided with a bulb in the center thereof; a support mechanism for supporting the reflector swingable; a driver means connected to the reflector and serving to swing the reflector left and right round thasupport _mechanism to change the direction of light irradiated; and another driver means connected to the reflector independently of the driver means for changing the direction.of light irradiated and serving to swing the reflector up-and down round the support mechanism to change the direction of light irradiated.

2. A headlightfor use with vehicles according to claim 1 wherein the support mechanism has a universal joint connected to the reflector and those portions of the driver means for changing the direction of irradiated light left and right and of the another driver meansfor changing the direction of irradiated light up and down which are connected to the reflector are positioned on a diagonal line which passes through the bulb as its center,while the functional fulcrum of the uqiversal joint of the support mechanism is posilioned on another diagonal line.

3. A headlight for use with vehicles according to claim 2 wherein the universal joint connected to the reflector comprises a pivot rod having a spherical pivot atthe front end thereof, and a pivot holder arranged opposite to the pivot rod and having a pivot seat at the front end thereof, said pivot seat serving to receive the pivot.

4. A hpadlightfor use with vehicles according to claim 2 wherein at least one of the driver means for changing the direction of irradiated light left and right and up and down includes a solenoid mechanism.