Illumination – Vehicle steering mechanism or element moves pivoted lamp or... – Tie rod element controlled
Patent
1994-11-17
1997-03-11
Lazarus, Ira S.
Illumination
Vehicle steering mechanism or element moves pivoted lamp or...
Tie rod element controlled
362298, 362299, 362351, 362328, B60Q 104
Patent
active
056094060
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE ART
The invention relates to a headlamp of a projection type for motor vehicles which has increased intensity of illumination above the light-darkness boundary of the headlamp dipped beam or the fog light beam.
STATE OF THE ART
In the usual elliptic dioptric headlamps comprising an integrating reflector, a screen, a lens and a refractor, the lens redistributes the light beam of the reflector so that it is nearly perfectly concentrated below the horizontal, while above it the intensity of illumination is minimal, with the exception of an asymmetric cut-off of the dipped beam. As a consequence, oncoming drivers are much less distracted, but on the other hand inadequate illumination reduces readability of vertical traffic signs which have a relatively low level of surface brightness if illuminated by dimmed headlamps. The low intensity of illumination above the light-darkness boundary makes orientation for the driver in the upper part of his working space impossible. This can have an adverse effect while driving on unlit twisting rural roads, especially in the absence of outline vision provided from the lights of oncoming vehicles.
EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
The above drawbacks are eliminated by a headlamp according to the invention which comprises a concave reflector integrating the light coming from the light source. In front of the reflector is situated a screen which limits and shapes the upper part of the dipped light beam or fog beam and a lens which projects the contrast of the brightness of the dark screen-shaded area on the light background of the reflector onto the road. Below the headlamp axis between the lens and the refractor, is situated an aperture reflector, the upper edge of which is the reflecting surface which is vertically placed between the headlamp axis and the operational diameter of the lens and is approximately parallel to the headlamp axis.
The light beam, coming originally from the light source and reflector, is projected by the lens downwards, but after reflection by the reflective surface of the aperture reflector, it is directed upwards above the horizontal. The image of the light beam of the aperture reflector is vertically shaped by the length and inclination of the reflective surface of the aperture reflector. Lateral spread of this light beam is achieved by a suitable radial profile of the reflective surface of the aperture reflector in the transverse direction and/or by application of reflective elements with transversal light diffusion on this reflective surface. Both vertical and transverse distribution of the light beam intensity of illumination above the horizontal can be modified by optical means in the zone of the headlamp refractor, which if seen in the front view, covers the lower part of the lens with the aperture reflector and has a transverse and/or vertical deviation effect on the light beam coming from the aperture reflector. This ensures optimum luminous intensity above the light-darkness boundary both with regard to dazzling and illumination. Visibility of the vertical traffic signs, of possible obstacles, and pedestrians; orientation while driving on roads which are not illuminated; and, also, signalization of the position and movement of the front part of the driver's own vehicle for other participants in road traffic are improved.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
An example of a headlamp according to the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a vertical section through a headlamp along the line A--A,
FIG. 2 is a front elevation in the direction P of the headlamp without a refractor, and
FIG. 3 is the same view as in FIG. 2 but with a refractor.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 shows a concave reflector 1 with a light source 2 placed in proximity of its axis 12 that forms the headlamp axis. The light source 2 is a transversally or axially situated body of approximately cylindrical shape, e.g. a helical filament of a lamp or the arc of a discharge lamp. Downstream of the reflector 1 is a sc
REFERENCES:
patent: 5021930 (1991-06-01), Yamada
patent: 5156445 (1992-10-01), Sato
patent: 5199779 (1993-04-01), Sato
patent: 5258686 (1993-11-01), Segoshi et al.
patent: 5307247 (1994-04-01), Cejnek
AUTOPAL s.r.o., Novy Jicin
Lazarus Ira S.
Sember Thomas M.
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