AU8150101A - Switching device for selection of high/low beam - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Applicant: JONG HUANG, YU-HUA Invention Title: SWITCHING DEVICE FOR SELECTION OF HIGH/LOW BEAM The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: SWITCHING DEVICE FOR SELECTION OF HIGH/LOW BEAM FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates generally to a switching device for selection of high/low beam, more particularly, it relates to a device for controlling the distance between a light source and a reflector so as to select high/low beam of an automobile's headlamps.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 10 [0002] The projecting distance of an automobile's headlamp is adjustable by ooooo switching its high/low beam according to the road conditions, in nighttime particularly.

[0003] A conventional headlamp is equipped with two sets of tungsten filament in a bulb, including an unshielded first set and a partly shielded second set. When the first set of tungsten filament is lightened, all its light is thoroughly projected onto a concave arcuate surface in the headlamp and reflected as a high beam to **ooo project onwards farther. On the other hand, when the second set of tungsten S•filament is lightened, only a part of unshielded light is projected onto the concave arcuate surface and reflected as a low beam to project relatively nearer.

[0004] The conventional headlamp can be basically switched over between a high and a low beam by using a single bulb in the headlamp though, the intensity thereof is more or less not strong enough, thus some high-level automobiles are fitted with a pair of high-pressure discharge bulbs, which comprises an airtight light discharge container and a gas filler including a metallic compound and a rare gas element, wherein the metallic compound is vaporized under normal conditions to decompose and release Xenon particles for light emission.

[0005] However, as the pair of high-pressure discharge bulbs is sealed in a closed container, it is impossible to switch the headlamp between high/low beams, hence, every headlamp must be equipped with a set of high and low beam bulbs that would entail greater expense and cut down the automobile's internal space.

[00061 In view of abovesaid imperfection, the inventor is to provide a switching device for selection of high/low beam of automobile headlamps, wherein each headlamp contains only a high-pressure discharge bulb.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] The primary object of this invention is to provide a switching device for selection of high/low beam, wherein a given electromagnetic valve is turned electrically on to generate electromagnetic force to attract a bulb base in a lamp shield to thereby change the distance between a lighting element and a reflective surface and obtain the effect of switching high/low beam of a headlamp.

[00081 In order to realize abovesaid object, the switching device for selection of high/low beam of this invention has the bulb base set in the lamp shield for accommodating the lighting element, wherein the bulb base is connected with the electromagnetic valve, which is turned electrically on or off to shorten or lengthen the distance between the lighting element and the reflective surface and thereby regulate the high beam or the low beam of the headlamp.

3 The words "comprising, having, including" should be interpreted in an inclusive sense, meaning that additional features may also be added.

For more detailed information regarding advantages or features of this invention, at least an example of preferred embodiment will be elucidated below with reference to the annexed drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The related drawings in connection with the detailed description of this invention to be made later are described briefly as follows, in which: Figure 1 is a cutaway sectional view of this invention; Figure 2 is a schematic view showing the action 15 of this invention in Figure 1; and Figure 3 is an exploded view showing components of this invention in three dimensions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION "As illustrated in Figures 1 through 3, a switching device for selection of high/low beam of this invention comprises at least, a casing 1, a bulb base 2, a lighting element 3, an electromagnetic valve 4, and a lamp shield The lamp shield 5 contains a concave arcuate reflective surface 51 and a hollow cylindrical end 52.

The casing 1 is composed of two corresponding halves, wherein each half of the casing 1 has a plurality of guiding slots 11 in its inner wall at corresponding positions. The bulb base 2 is arranged for bearing the lighting element 3, which could be a high pressure discharge bulb, or an arbitrary lighting bulb or tube. A plurality of protruding rods 21 is formed on the outer wall of the bulb base 2 at corresponding opposite positions and is movable freely in and long respective guiding slots 11, wherein two protruding rods 21 at opposite positions are further connected with a link lever 22 respectively and one end of the link levers 22 are H: i S-B\K~p~sec 1 P4 37 3 SPEC.c 19/10O0[ 3a jointed commonly with an interactive shaft 23.

The electromagnetic valve 4 is located inside the casing 1, wherein a H *uE K p .131;3 :PEC L9 10 01 driving shaft 41 is connected with the interactive shaft 23.

[0015] By taking advantage of abovesaid architecture, the electromagnetic valve 4 is turned electrically on to generate electromagnetic force to attract the driving shaft 41 to withdraw backwards and the bulb base 2 is pulled backwards via the link levers 22 (shown in Fig. During the movement of the bulb base 2, the protruding rods 21 are also moved in the guiding slots 11 to avoid arbitrary rotation of the bulb base 2 such that the distance between the lighting element 3 and the reflective surface 51 is shortened to enable the reflective surface 51 to serve for a high beam source that can project light much farther.

[00161 On the contrary, when the electromagnetic valve 4 is turned electrically •off, a spring member inside (not shown) will release the driving shaft 41 and let it go forwards such that the bulb base 2 is restored (as shown in Fig. 1) via the interactive shaft 23 and the link levers 22 to result in a lengthened distance between the lighting element 3 and the reflective surface 51 to serve for a low beam source that projects light nearer.

[00171 In the above described, at least one preferred embodiment has been described in detail with reference to the drawings annexed, and it is apparent that numerous variations or modifications may be made without departing from the true spirit and scope thereof, as set forth in the claims below.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or in any other country.

Claims (1)

1. 2. A switching device for selection of high/low beam S"substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated this 19th day of October 2001 JONG HUANG, YU-HUA By his Patent Attorney GRIFFITH HACK