Illumination – Supported by vehicle structure – Specific lamp mounting or retaining
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-31
2001-06-26
Sember, Thomas M. (Department: 2875)
Illumination
Supported by vehicle structure
Specific lamp mounting or retaining
C362S507000, C362S548000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06250790
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates in general terms to motor vehicle headlights, and more particularly to a headlight having a lamp the axis which is oriented at right angles to the optical axis of the reflector of the headlight.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is known that such a lamp orientation has certain advantages in a headlight. In particular, the base zone of the reflector becomes able to be used for forming the beam, which is of particular importance in the case of reflectors which are capable of generating by themselves beams having the required photometry, such as cut-off beams, and in particular cut-off beams for foglights.
Another advantage of this type of known light lies in the fact that access to the lamp for replacing it, from above or through the side of the light or from below, can be made easier in certain types of configurations. Such a light is described for example in French published patent specification No. FR 2 701 539A.
However, that known headlight does have the disadvantage that it necessitates, for mounting the lamp, a special lamp holder or lamp mount, which is fitted on appropriate elements in the reflector, and which includes means adapted to receive the lamp. The presence of such a lamp mount increases the selling cost of the headlight and the time necessary for fitting it. In addition, replacement of the lamp is a trickier operation, because it is necessary to withdraw the lamp holder, to replace the lamp, and then to replace the lamp holder in position.
In addition, such a lamp mount or lamp holder can be seen through the cover glass of the reflector, and is detrimental to its appearance when the light is extinguished.
DISCUSSION OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the state of the art, and to propose a headlight having a transverse lamp, in which the lamp can be mounted directly on appropriate elements of the reflector and can be easily replaced, without compromising or rendering particularly delicate the manufacture of this reflector by moulding.
In this connection, the use of moulding to make modern reflectors is an important factor in the quality of the product and the selling cost and efficiency of its manufacture. This must not be compromised just on grounds of saving on the cost of a component which constituted the lamp mount in the prior art.
According to the invention, a motor vehicle headlight, comprising a lamp mounted in a reflector, together with a cover lens, the lamp having mounting means for engagement in a plane at right angles to its axis and being mounted in the reflector with its axis at right angles to an optical axis of the reflector, the reflector being formed by injection moulding in a plastics material, having been stripped from the mould in a direction parallel to the said optical axis, the reflector having at least one portion adjacent to a base portion thereof, is characterised in that a lamp hole is formed directly in the said at least one reflector portion, in that an external surface of a wall of the reflector surrounding the lamp hole defines a rake angle with respect to the direction of stripping from the mould, and in that there is provided, between the said surface and the said mounting means of the lamp, adapter means which define, for engagement with the said mounting means of the lamp, seating surfaces lying in a plane parallel to the said optical axis.
Various preferred features of the invention, which are not to be taken as limiting, and which may be applied separately or, where appropriate, in combination, are as follows:
the said lamp hole and the said surface surrounding the lamp hole are formed in a reinforcement provided in the said reflector portion;
the said reinforcement is defined by a generally U-shaped wall;
the said generally U-shaped wall has at least one locating element for the angular positioning of the lamp;
the said generally U-shaped wall has at least one reinforcement adapted to receive a fastening lug of a lamp mask;
the said fastening lug has a portion defining an elastic tongue which is adapted to bias the lamp for its location in a direction transverse to the axis of the said lamp;
the said adapter means comprise a plurality of pads projecting from the said external surface and formed integrally by moulding during manufacture of the reflector;
it further includes a member for retaining the lamp with its mounting means pressing on the said pads;
the retaining member consists of a hairpin-type spring clip articulated on the said mask fastening lug;
the said adapter means comprise a generally cylindrical adapter member surrounding the lamp hole and having a first edge which is in engagement against the said external surface, together with a second edge opposite the first edge, defining seating surfaces for the said mounting means of the lamp;
the first edge and the second edge of the said adapter member consist essentially of circles contained in planes which are inclined with respect to each other by an angle equal to the rake angle;
the first edge of the adapter member bears on pads formed integrally by moulding and projecting from the said external surface;
the said adapter member has notches for mounting of the lamp therein by a bayonet device;
the said seating surfaces defined by the second edge of the adapter member are formed on lugs lying in a plane at right angles to the axis of the said member;
the said adapter member is made by rolling a thin piece of sheet metal.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5727863 (1998-03-01), Pruett
patent: 2 701 539 (1994-08-01), None
Morgan & Finnegan , LLP
Negron Ismael
Sember Thomas M.
Valeo Vision
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