EP0439406B1 - Headlight with improved light source - Google Patents

Headlight with improved light source Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0439406B1
EP0439406B1 EP91400157A EP91400157A EP0439406B1 EP 0439406 B1 EP0439406 B1 EP 0439406B1 EP 91400157 A EP91400157 A EP 91400157A EP 91400157 A EP91400157 A EP 91400157A EP 0439406 B1 EP0439406 B1 EP 0439406B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
reflector
situated
window
focus
mask
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP91400157A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0439406A1 (en
Inventor
Eric Blusseau
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Valeo Vision SAS
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Valeo Vision SAS
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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S41/00—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps
    • F21S41/40—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by screens, non-reflecting members, light-shielding members or fixed shades
    • F21S41/43—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by screens, non-reflecting members, light-shielding members or fixed shades characterised by the shape thereof
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S41/00—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps
    • F21S41/30—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by reflectors
    • F21S41/32—Optical layout thereof
    • F21S41/321—Optical layout thereof the reflector being a surface of revolution or a planar surface, e.g. truncated
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S41/00—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps
    • F21S41/30—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by reflectors
    • F21S41/32—Optical layout thereof
    • F21S41/36—Combinations of two or more separate reflectors
    • F21S41/365—Combinations of two or more separate reflectors successively reflecting the light
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S41/00—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps
    • F21S41/10—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by the light source
    • F21S41/14—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by the light source characterised by the type of light source
    • F21S41/162—Incandescent light sources, e.g. filament or halogen lamps
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S41/00—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps
    • F21S41/10—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by the light source
    • F21S41/14—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by the light source characterised by the type of light source
    • F21S41/17—Discharge light sources

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to a motor vehicle headlamp.
  • the contour of the emission is in close correlation with the physical configuration of the filament, and said physical configuration is generally established in a reproducible manner from one lamp to another, and with satisfactory accuracy.
  • Figure 1a of the drawings by a series of isoluminance curves, the diagram of the light emission of such a filament, in the general shape of a right cylinder.
  • lamps whose geometry of light emission does not have these qualities. They may first of all be filament lamps in which, for example for manufacturing-related reasons, the filament has either a shape or a position which can vary appreciably from one lamp to another, or even a poorly defined geometric shape, for example curved.
  • arc lamps renowned for their qualities in terms of light output and which we are now seeking to use in motor vehicle headlamps.
  • This type of lamp indeed has a configuration of light emission whose contours vary widely, either from one lamp to another, or within the same lamp depending on the state thereof (heating phase or stationary regime), and moreover the contours of the emission configuration of such a lamp are extremely diffuse and make it very difficult to obtain a cut of good sharpness with conventional means.
  • Figure 1b of the drawings similar to Figure 1a, the light emission of an arc established between two electrodes E1 and E2.
  • the "equivalent filament” is also represented by a rectangle, constituting the ideal light emission zone.
  • a very intense light radiation is emitted by zones located relatively far from the ideal rectangle, these malformations being translated by similar malformations at the level of the images of this source after reflection by the reflector.
  • Document DE-C-561 746 also discloses a projector comprising a first reflector capable of creating from a real source a virtual source located at the focus of a second reflector in the form of a semi-paraboloid which is located below said first reflector.
  • a pierced horizontal mask separates these two reflectors.
  • the piercing of this mask is only described as allowing the concentration of the emitted beam to be varied. In other words, we play in this case on the size of the virtual source to vary the concentration of the emitted beam. Furthermore, no application to cut-off beams is mentioned.
  • the present invention aims to overcome the drawbacks and limitations of the prior art and to propose a headlamp which makes it possible to use, with reflectors of the type defined above, a source whose geometry can be poorly defined, without however the quality of the light beam obtained is not significantly degraded.
  • the headlight as described in document DE-C-561 746 is extremely bulky in a direction transverse to the general direction of the beam, therefore in the vertical direction of the assembly.
  • the present invention also aims to propose a projector with two reflectors and a virtual source whose transverse dimensions are not substantially increased compared to that of a single reflector projector of the parabolic type.
  • the invention provides a projector as defined in claim 2.
  • a motor vehicle headlight firstly comprises a substantially elongated light source, schematically indicated in 10. It may, for example, be an incandescent filament, the contours of which are ill-defined as indicated above, or else an arc generated within a discharge lamp.
  • the projector further comprises a first reflector 20, which is generally ellipsoidal in shape and which is characterized by its two foci F1 and F2.
  • the first focus F1 is located approximately in the center of the source 10.
  • the major axis of the ellipsoid extends essentially horizontally and perpendicular to the general direction of emission 0x of the projector. Furthermore, although it can be seen in FIG. 1 that the major axis of the ellipse is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction D of the source, this arrangement is entirely optional, the source possibly being able to be aligned on said major axis or take any other orientation.
  • a mask or mask 30 is interposed on the path of the light rays reflected by the first reflector 30, extending in a plane perpendicular to the major axis of the ellipsoid, passing over or in the vicinity of its second focus F2.
  • This mask has a window 32 which appears more clearly in FIG. 3.
  • This window is of generally rectangular shape, its long sides extending horizontally and its short sides vertically. It is positioned so that the focal point F2 is located substantially in the center of the rectangle, as illustrated.
  • the projector also comprises a second reflector 40, which is referenced on an optical axis Ox extending in the present example horizontally in the plane of the mask 30 and passing through the large lower side of the window 32.
  • This reflector 40 is intended to form the light beam of the projector from the radiation coming from the window 32. It is of the type capable of forming by itself a beam of given photometry, if necessary while respecting a well-defined cut-off. It may for example be half of a reflector as described in French patent application No. 2 597 575, the content of which is incorporated into the present description by reference and to which reference will be made for more details. . It will simply be recalled that such a reflector is capable of forming images of the light source with which it cooperates, which are all situated essentially below a standardized European cut-off, the highest points of these images being located in the vicinity of said cut. It should also be noted that, although only half a reflector is used, the entire beam is however defined.
  • the window 32 can have dimensions close to or different from those of a standardized filament. In particular, increased flow recovery can be obtained with a larger window. In this case, care is taken to adjust the parameters which govern the surface equation of the second reflector 40 to obtain the required beam.
  • this mask is preferably non-reflective on each of its faces. It can for example be covered with a matt black coating.
  • the headlight comprises a closing lens 50, which optionally comprises, if necessary, in a conventional manner, deflection streaks or prisms capable of widening the beam without altering the cut defined by the reflector.
  • the real light source 10 the contours of which are geometrically ill-defined, is used in combination with the first reflector 20 and the mask 30 to form at the focal point F2, in a well-positioned position. determined relative to the reference focal point (s) of the second reflector 40, a virtual light source whose contours are extremely well defined.
  • the images of this source, formed by the second reflector 40 are extremely clean and thus generate a beam having in all circumstances the desired characteristics.
  • variations in the light emission configuration of the real source 10 are overcome, either when the lamp is replaced or when it is brought to temperature.
  • the use according to the invention of a first reflector of the ellipsoidal type allows excellent recovery of the light flux emitted by the source.
  • the present invention can be used with second reflectors of any type.
  • any of the reflectors described in the Applicant's French patents cited in the introduction can be used.
  • the respective contents of these patents are in this respect included in the present description by reference.
  • the reflector 20, the real source 10 and the mask 20 must be designed and dimensioned so that at the level of the mask 30, at least part of the images of the source 10 created by the reflector 20 are larger than the window 32, that is to say that, for this type of image, said window is included or practically included in the contours of the image.
  • FIG. 4 shows a first alternative embodiment of the invention.
  • this window now has the form of a notch, the bottom of which occupies the position occupied by the large lower side of the rectangle in FIG. 3 , and whose two vertical sides are located in an upward extension of the two short sides of said rectangle.
  • the virtual source indicated in SV in FIG. 4 has a contour whose lower and extreme edges are defined perfectly, by the limits of the notch, and whose upper edge can be variable and depends on the configuration. of the light emission by the real source 10, as well as to a certain extent the design of the first reflector 20.
  • FIG. 5 illustrates, in a standardized projection plane on which the standardized European cut-off h′Hc has been represented, a certain number of images I of this virtual source, formed by the second reflector as indicated above.
  • This variant therefore makes it possible to increase the light intensity of the beam formed, without in any way compromising its photometric characteristics in terms of cutting.
  • Figure 6 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the projector of Figure 2.
  • This variant differs from the basic embodiment mainly in that the major axis of the ellipsoid defined by the first reflector 20 is located in a horizontal plane but inclined relative to to the optical axis Ox of the second reflector 40 with an angular value ⁇ which is substantially less than 90 °, and in this case of the order of 45 °.
  • the real source 10 is arranged in alignment with the major axis of the ellipsoid.
  • the mask 30 and its window 32 can keep the same shape as that which has been described above.
  • Such a variant makes it possible in certain cases to recover more easily the light flux emitted by the real source 10. More precisely, the whole of the solid angle ⁇ occupied by the second reflector 40 seen from the window 32 can be covered here without the first reflector does not extend in a possibly annoying way towards the rear of the projector, as is the case in FIG. 2. More precisely, the two reflectors fit in this case without problem in the contours of a projector traditional design, which is advantageous from the point of view of space.
  • the use of half ellipse, delimited by a plane of symmetry perpendicular to its major axis, may prove to be particularly preferable.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Non-Portable Lighting Devices Or Systems Thereof (AREA)
  • Optical Elements Other Than Lenses (AREA)

Description

La présente invention concerne d'une façon générale un projecteur de véhicule automobile.The present invention relates generally to a motor vehicle headlamp.

On connait déjà dans la technique antérieure, en particulier par les brevets FR-A-2 536 502, FR-A-2 536 503, FR-A-2 583 139, FR-A-2 597 575, FR-A-2 599 120, FR-A-2 599 121, FR-A-2 600 024, FR-A-2 602 306, FR-A-2 609 146, FR-A-2 609 148, FR-A-2 621 679, FR-A-2 634 003, tous au nom de la Demanderesse, des réflecteurs de projecteurs qui ont pour caractéristique commune de former par eux mêmes des images du filament dont la position sur un écran de projection est bien déterminée en fonction d'une photométrie particulière recherchée, et notamment par rapport à une coupure que doit respecter le type de faisceau considéré.We already know in the prior art, in particular from the patents FR-A-2,536,502, FR-A-2,536,503, FR-A-2,583,139, FR-A-2,597,575, FR-A-2 599 120, FR-A-2 599 121, FR-A-2 600 024, FR-A-2 602 306, FR-A-2 609 146, FR-A-2 609 148, FR-A-2 621 679 , FR-A-2 634 003, all in the name of the Applicant, projector reflectors which have the common characteristic of forming by themselves images of the filament whose position on a projection screen is well determined as a function of a particular photometry sought, and in particular with respect to a cut-off which the type of beam considered must respect.

L'on comprend que de tels réflecteurs, pour donner des résultats convenables, doivent coopérer avec une source lumineuse dont la géométrie est suffisamment bien définie.It is understood that such reflectors, to give suitable results, must cooperate with a light source whose geometry is sufficiently well defined.

Dans le cas où la source lumineuse est un filament incandescent, le contour de l'émission est en étroite corrélation avec la configuration physique du filament, et ladite configuration physique est généralement établie de façon reproductible d'une lampe à l'autre, et avec une précision satisfaisante. Ainsi l'on a représenté sur la figure 1a des dessins, par une série de courbes isoluminance, le diagramme de l'émission lumineuse d'un tel filament, en forme générale de cylindre droit.In the case where the light source is an incandescent filament, the contour of the emission is in close correlation with the physical configuration of the filament, and said physical configuration is generally established in a reproducible manner from one lamp to another, and with satisfactory accuracy. Thus there is shown in Figure 1a of the drawings, by a series of isoluminance curves, the diagram of the light emission of such a filament, in the general shape of a right cylinder.

Mais il existe certains types de lampes dont la géométrie de l'émission lumineuse ne présente pas ces qualités. Il peut s'agir tout d'abord de lampes à filament dans lesquelles, par exemple pour des raisons liées à la fabrication, le filament présente soit une forme ou une position qui peut varier sensiblement d'une lampe à l'autre, soit encore une forme géométrique mal définie, par exemple incurvée.However, there are certain types of lamps whose geometry of light emission does not have these qualities. They may first of all be filament lamps in which, for example for manufacturing-related reasons, the filament has either a shape or a position which can vary appreciably from one lamp to another, or even a poorly defined geometric shape, for example curved.

Il peut s'agir surtout de lampes à arc, réputées pour leurs qualités en matière de rendement lumineux et que l'on cherche aujourd'hui à utiliser dans les projecteurs de véhicules automobiles. Ce type de lampe présente en effet une configuration d'émission lumineuse dont les contours varient largement, soit d'une lampe à l'autre, soit au sein d'une même lampe selon l'état de celle-ci (phase de chauffage ou régime stationnaire), et par ailleurs les contours de la configuration d'émission d'une telle lampe sont extrêmement diffus et rendent très difficile l'obtention d'une coupure de bonne netteté avec les moyens classiques.They may especially be arc lamps, renowned for their qualities in terms of light output and which we are now seeking to use in motor vehicle headlamps. This type of lamp indeed has a configuration of light emission whose contours vary widely, either from one lamp to another, or within the same lamp depending on the state thereof (heating phase or stationary regime), and moreover the contours of the emission configuration of such a lamp are extremely diffuse and make it very difficult to obtain a cut of good sharpness with conventional means.

On comprend qu'en présence de telles malformations de la source, un réflecteur du type indiqué plus haut va engendrer des images de la source dont la position, notamment par rapport à une coupure, sera plus aléatoire. Il en résulte en particulier le risque que certaines images de la source débordent substantiellement au-dessus de la coupure, avec en conséquence un éblouissement des conducteurs de véhicules roulant en sens inverse, ou encore que la photométrie du faisceau en matière d'intensités lumineuses minimales à respecter, telle qu'imposée par les règlements, ne soit pas satisfaite.It is understood that in the presence of such malformations of the source, a reflector of the type indicated above will generate images of the source whose position, in particular with respect to a cut, will be more random. This results in particular in the risk that certain images of the source protrude substantially above the cutoff, with consequently a dazzling of drivers of vehicles traveling in the opposite direction, or else that the photometry of the beam in terms of minimum light intensities. to be respected, as imposed by the regulations, is not satisfied.

Ainsi l'on a représenté sur la figure 1b des dessins, de façon analogue à la figure 1a, l'émission lumineuse d'un arc établi entre deux électrodes E1 et E2. L'on a représenté également par un rectangle le "filament équivalent", constituant la zone d'émission lumineuse idéale. On peut observer qu'un rayonnement lumineux très intense est émis par des zones situées relativement loin du rectangle idéal, ces malformations se traduisant par des malformations semblables au niveau des images de cette source après réflexion par le réflecteur.Thus there is shown in Figure 1b of the drawings, similar to Figure 1a, the light emission of an arc established between two electrodes E1 and E2. The "equivalent filament" is also represented by a rectangle, constituting the ideal light emission zone. One can observe that a very intense light radiation is emitted by zones located relatively far from the ideal rectangle, these malformations being translated by similar malformations at the level of the images of this source after reflection by the reflector.

On connaît également par le document DE-C-561 746 un projecteur comprenant un premier réflecteur capable de créer à partir d'une source réelle une source virtuelle située au foyer d'un deuxième réflecteur en forme de demi-paraboloïde qui se trouve dessous ledit premier réflecteur. Un masque horizontale percé sépare ces deux réflecteurs. Cependant, le perçage de ce masque est seulement décrit comme permettant de faire varier la concentration du faisceau émis. En d'autres termes on joue dans ce cas sur la taille de la source virtuelle pour faire varier la concentration du faisceau émis. Par ailleurs, aucune application aux faisceaux à coupure n'est mentionnée.Document DE-C-561 746 also discloses a projector comprising a first reflector capable of creating from a real source a virtual source located at the focus of a second reflector in the form of a semi-paraboloid which is located below said first reflector. A pierced horizontal mask separates these two reflectors. However, the piercing of this mask is only described as allowing the concentration of the emitted beam to be varied. In other words, we play in this case on the size of the virtual source to vary the concentration of the emitted beam. Furthermore, no application to cut-off beams is mentioned.

Ainsi le document DE-C-561 746 n'est pas à même de résoudre le problème de l'invention, qui est non pas un problème de taille de l'arc d'une lampe à décharge, mais un problème d'irrégularité de forme d'un tel arc, impropre à la génération de faisceaux à coupure nette.Thus document DE-C-561 746 is not able to solve the problem of the invention, which is not a problem of size of the arc of a discharge lamp, but a problem of irregularity of form of such an arc, unsuitable for generating beams with a clear cut.

La présente invention vise à pallier les inconvénients et limitations de la technique antérieure et à proposer un projecteur qui permette d'utiliser, avec des réflecteurs du type défini plus haut, une source dont la géométrie peut être mal définie, sans pour autant que la qualité du faisceau lumineux obtenu ne soit sensiblement dégradée.The present invention aims to overcome the drawbacks and limitations of the prior art and to propose a headlamp which makes it possible to use, with reflectors of the type defined above, a source whose geometry can be poorly defined, without however the quality of the light beam obtained is not significantly degraded.

Elle concerne à cet effet un projecteur de véhicule automobile tel que défini dans la revendication 1.To this end, it relates to a motor vehicle headlamp as defined in claim 1.

Par ailleurs, le projecteur tel que décrit dans le document DE-C-561 746 est extrêmement encombrant dans une direction transversale à la direction générale du faisceau, donc dans la direction verticale de l'ensemble.Furthermore, the headlight as described in document DE-C-561 746 is extremely bulky in a direction transverse to the general direction of the beam, therefore in the vertical direction of the assembly.

La présente invention vise également à proposer un projecteur à deux réflecteurs et à source virtuelle dont l'encombrement transversal ne soit pas sensiblement accru par rapport à celui d'un projecteur à réflecteur unique du genre parabolique.The present invention also aims to propose a projector with two reflectors and a virtual source whose transverse dimensions are not substantially increased compared to that of a single reflector projector of the parabolic type.

Ainsi, l'invention propose un projecteur tel que défini dans la revendication 2.Thus, the invention provides a projector as defined in claim 2.

Certains aspects préférés, mais non limitatifs de la présente invention sont exposés dans les sous-revendications 3 à 10.Certain preferred, but not limiting, aspects of the present invention are set out in subclaims 3 to 10.

D'autres aspects, buts et avantages de la présente invention apparaîtront mieux à la lecture de la description détaillée suivante d'une forme de réalisation préférée de celle-ci, donnée à titre d'exemple non limitatif et faite en référence aux dessins annexés, sur lesquels, outre les figures 1a et 1b déjà décrites,

  • la figure 2 est une vue en coupe horizontale d'un projecteur selon la présente invention,
  • la figure 3 est une vue en élévation d'une partie du projecteur de la figure 2,
  • la figure 4 est une vue en élévation d'une variante de la partie représentée sur la figure 3,
  • la figure 5 représente des images projetées de la source dans le cadre de la variante de la figure 4, et
  • la figure 6 est une vue en coupe horizontale d'une variante de réalisation du projecteur selon l'invention.
Other aspects, aims and advantages of the present invention will appear better on reading the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof, given by way of nonlimiting example and made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which, in addition to FIGS. 1a and 1b already described,
  • FIG. 2 is a view in horizontal section of a projector according to the present invention,
  • FIG. 3 is an elevation view of part of the projector of FIG. 2,
  • FIG. 4 is an elevation view of a variant of the part shown in FIG. 3,
  • FIG. 5 represents projected images of the source in the context of the variant of FIG. 4, and
  • Figure 6 is a horizontal sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the projector according to the invention.

On indiquera tout d'abord que, d'une figure à l'autre, des éléments ou parties identiques ou similaires sont désignés par les mêmes numéros de référence.It will first be indicated that, from one figure to another, identical or similar elements or parts are designated by the same reference numbers.

En référence tout d'abord à la figure 2, un projecteur de véhicule automobile selon la présente invention comprend tout d'abord une source lumineuse essentiellement allongée, schématiquement indiquée en 10. Il peut s'agir par exemple d'un filament incandescent, dont les contours sont mal définis comme indiqué plus haut, ou encore d'un arc engendré au sein d'une lampe à décharge.Referring firstly to FIG. 2, a motor vehicle headlight according to the present invention firstly comprises a substantially elongated light source, schematically indicated in 10. It may, for example, be an incandescent filament, the contours of which are ill-defined as indicated above, or else an arc generated within a discharge lamp.

Le projecteur comprend en outre un premier réflecteur 20, qui est de forme générale ellipsoïdale et qui est caractérisé par ses deux foyers F1 et F2. Le premier foyer F1 est situé approximativement au centre de la source 10.The projector further comprises a first reflector 20, which is generally ellipsoidal in shape and which is characterized by its two foci F1 and F2. The first focus F1 is located approximately in the center of the source 10.

Dans le présent exemple, le grand axe de l'ellipsoïde s'étend essentiellement horizontalement et perpendiculairement à la direction générale d'émission 0x du projecteur. Par ailleurs, bien que l'on observe sur la figure 1 que le grand axe de l'ellipse est perpendiculaire à la direction longitudinale D de la source, cette disposition est entièrement facultative, la source pouvant en variante être alignée sur ledit grand axe ou prendre toute autre orientation.In the present example, the major axis of the ellipsoid extends essentially horizontally and perpendicular to the general direction of emission 0x of the projector. Furthermore, although it can be seen in FIG. 1 that the major axis of the ellipse is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction D of the source, this arrangement is entirely optional, the source possibly being able to be aligned on said major axis or take any other orientation.

Un masque ou cache 30 est interposé sur le trajet des rayons lumineux réfléchis par le premier réflecteur 30, en s'étendant dans un plan perpendiculaire au grand axe de l'ellipsoïde, en passant sur ou au voisinage de son second foyer F2. Ce masque comporte une fenêtre 32 qui apparaît plus clairement sur la figure 3. Cette fenêtre est de forme générale rectangulaire, ses grands côtés s'étendant horizontalement et ses petits côtés verticalement. Elle est positionnée de telle sorte que le foyer F2 soit situé sensiblement au centre du rectangle, comme illustré.A mask or mask 30 is interposed on the path of the light rays reflected by the first reflector 30, extending in a plane perpendicular to the major axis of the ellipsoid, passing over or in the vicinity of its second focus F2. This mask has a window 32 which appears more clearly in FIG. 3. This window is of generally rectangular shape, its long sides extending horizontally and its short sides vertically. It is positioned so that the focal point F2 is located substantially in the center of the rectangle, as illustrated.

Le projecteur comporte en outre un second réflecteur 40, qui est référencé sur un axe optique Ox s'étendant dans le présent exemple horizontalement dans le plan du masque 30 et passant par le grand côté inférieur de la fenêtre 32.The projector also comprises a second reflector 40, which is referenced on an optical axis Ox extending in the present example horizontally in the plane of the mask 30 and passing through the large lower side of the window 32.

Ce réflecteur 40 est destiné à former le faisceau lumineux du projecteur à partir du rayonnement issu de la fenêtre 32. Il est du genre capable de former par lui-même un faisceau de photométrie donnée, le cas échéant en respectant une coupure bien déterminée. Il peut s'agir par exemple de la moitié d'un réflecteur tel que décrit dans la demande de brevet français No. 2 597 575, dont le contenu est incorporé à la présente description par référence et à laquelle on se reportera pour davantage de détails. On rappellera simplement qu'un tel réflecteur est capable de former des images de la source lumineuse avec laquelle il coopère, qui sont toutes situées pour l'essentiel au-dessous d'une coupure européenne normalisée, les points les plus hauts de ces images étant situés au voisinage de ladite coupure. Il est à noter en outre que, bien qu'une moitié de réflecteur seulement soit utilisée, l'ensemble du faisceau est toutefois défini.This reflector 40 is intended to form the light beam of the projector from the radiation coming from the window 32. It is of the type capable of forming by itself a beam of given photometry, if necessary while respecting a well-defined cut-off. It may for example be half of a reflector as described in French patent application No. 2 597 575, the content of which is incorporated into the present description by reference and to which reference will be made for more details. . It will simply be recalled that such a reflector is capable of forming images of the light source with which it cooperates, which are all situated essentially below a standardized European cut-off, the highest points of these images being located in the vicinity of said cut. It should also be noted that, although only half a reflector is used, the entire beam is however defined.

Dans la pratique, quel que soit le réflecteur auto-générateur de faisceau que l'on utilise, on prend soin à positionner ce réflecteur par rapport aux autres composants du projecteur de telle sorte que la fenêtre rectangulaire 32 du masque 30 occupe aussi précisément que possible la place que devait normalement prendre le filament pour que ce réflecteur puisse former le faisceau recherché. Ainsi dans l'exemple concret indiqué ci-dessus, la position du rectangle immédiatement au-dessus de l'axe optique 0x, et telle que son centre est à l'aplomb du foyer de reférence F0 de la surface du réflecteur, correspond à la position du filament allongé dans la demande de brevet français sus-mentionnée.In practice, whatever the self-generating beam reflector that is used, care is taken to position this reflector relative to the other components of the projector so that the rectangular window 32 of the mask 30 occupies as precisely as possible the place that the filament should normally take for this reflector to form the desired beam. Thus in the concrete example indicated above, the position of the rectangle immediately above the optical axis 0x, and such that its center is perpendicular to the focal point F0 of the surface of the reflector, corresponds to the position of the elongated filament in the above-mentioned French patent application.

Il est à noter que la fenêtre 32 peut avoir des dimensions voisines ou différentes de celles d'un filament normalisé. Notamment, une récupération de flux accrue peut être obtenue avec une fenêtre de plus grande taille. Dans ce cas, on prend soin d'ajuster les paramètres qui régissent l'équation de la surface du second réflecteur 40 pour obtenir le faisceau requis.It should be noted that the window 32 can have dimensions close to or different from those of a standardized filament. In particular, increased flow recovery can be obtained with a larger window. In this case, care is taken to adjust the parameters which govern the surface equation of the second reflector 40 to obtain the required beam.

Afin d'éviter la formation de réflexions parasites d'un côté ou de l'autre du masque 30, et donc la détérioration du faisceau, ce masque est de préférence non réfléchissant sur chacune de ses faces. On peut par exemple le couvrir d'un revêtement noir mat.In order to avoid the formation of stray reflections on one side or the other of the mask 30, and therefore the deterioration of the beam, this mask is preferably non-reflective on each of its faces. It can for example be covered with a matt black coating.

Enfin le projecteur comprend une glace de fermeture 50, qui comporte le cas échéant, de façon classique, des stries ou prismes déviateurs capables d'élargir le faisceau sans altérer la coupure définie par le réflecteur.Finally, the headlight comprises a closing lens 50, which optionally comprises, if necessary, in a conventional manner, deflection streaks or prisms capable of widening the beam without altering the cut defined by the reflector.

Ainsi conformément à un aspect essentiel de la présente invention, la source lumineuse réelle 10, dont les contours sont géométriquement mal définis, est utilisée en combinaison avec le premier réflecteur 20 et le masque 30 pour former au niveau du foyer F2, en une position bien déterminée par rapport au(x) foyer(s) de référence du second réflecteur 40, une source lumineuse virtuelle dont les contours dont extrêmement bien définis. Il en résulte que les images de cette source, formées par le second réflecteur 40, sont extrêmement propres et engendrent ainsi un faisceau ayant en toute circonstance les caractéristiques recherchées. Ainsi l'on s'affranchit grâce à la présente invention des variations de la configuration d'émission lumineuse de la source réelle 10, que ce soit lors du remplacement de la lampe ou de sa mise en température. Par ailleurs, l'utilisation selon l'invention d'un premier réflecteur du genre ellipsoïdal permet une excellente récupération du flux lumineux émis par la source.Thus, in accordance with an essential aspect of the present invention, the real light source 10, the contours of which are geometrically ill-defined, is used in combination with the first reflector 20 and the mask 30 to form at the focal point F2, in a well-positioned position. determined relative to the reference focal point (s) of the second reflector 40, a virtual light source whose contours are extremely well defined. As a result, the images of this source, formed by the second reflector 40, are extremely clean and thus generate a beam having in all circumstances the desired characteristics. Thus, thanks to the present invention, variations in the light emission configuration of the real source 10 are overcome, either when the lamp is replaced or when it is brought to temperature. Furthermore, the use according to the invention of a first reflector of the ellipsoidal type allows excellent recovery of the light flux emitted by the source.

Comme on l'a indiqué plus haut, la présente invention peut être utilisée avec des seconds réflecteurs de types quelconques. Par exemple, on peut utiliser l'un quelconque des réflecteurs décrits dans les brevets français de la Demanderesse cités en introduction. Les contenus respectifs de ces brevets sont à cet égard inclus dans la présente description par référence.As indicated above, the present invention can be used with second reflectors of any type. For example, any of the reflectors described in the Applicant's French patents cited in the introduction can be used. The respective contents of these patents are in this respect included in the present description by reference.

Bien entendu, pour atteindre le résultat ci-dessus, le réflecteur 20, la source réelle 10 et le masque 20 doivent être conçus et dimensionnés de telle sorte qu'au niveau du masque 30, au moins une partie des images de la source 10 créées par le réflecteur 20 soient plus grandes que la fenêtre 32, c'est-à-dire que, pour ce type d'image, ladite fenêtre soit incluse ou pratiquement incluse dans les contours de l'image.Of course, to achieve the above result, the reflector 20, the real source 10 and the mask 20 must be designed and dimensioned so that at the level of the mask 30, at least part of the images of the source 10 created by the reflector 20 are larger than the window 32, that is to say that, for this type of image, said window is included or practically included in the contours of the image.

On a représenté sur la figure 4 une première variante de réalisation de l'invention. Afin de récupérer une partie aussi grande possible du flux reçu au niveau de la fenêtre 32 du masque 30, cette fenêtre présente maintenant la forme d'une encoche dont le fond occupe la position qu'occupait le grand côté inférieur du rectangle sur la figure 3, et dont les deux côtés verticaux sont situés en prolongement vers le haut des deux petits côtés dudit rectangle. Dans ce cas, la source virtuelle, indiquée en SV sur la figure 4, présente un contour dont les bords inférieur et extrémaux sont définis parfaitement, par les limites de l'encoche, et dont le bord supérieur peut être variable et dépend de la configuration de l'émission lumineuse par la source réelle 10, ainsi que dans une certaine mesure de la conception du premier réflecteur 20.FIG. 4 shows a first alternative embodiment of the invention. In order to recover as large a part of the flux received as possible at the window 32 of the mask 30, this window now has the form of a notch, the bottom of which occupies the position occupied by the large lower side of the rectangle in FIG. 3 , and whose two vertical sides are located in an upward extension of the two short sides of said rectangle. In this case, the virtual source, indicated in SV in FIG. 4, has a contour whose lower and extreme edges are defined perfectly, by the limits of the notch, and whose upper edge can be variable and depends on the configuration. of the light emission by the real source 10, as well as to a certain extent the design of the first reflector 20.

La figure 5 illustre, dans un plan de projection normalisé sur lequel on a représenté la coupure européenne normalisée h'Hc, un certain nombre d'images I de cette source virtuelle, formées par le second réflecteur tel qu'indiqué plus haut.FIG. 5 illustrates, in a standardized projection plane on which the standardized European cut-off h′Hc has been represented, a certain number of images I of this virtual source, formed by the second reflector as indicated above.

On peut observer que la rotation impartie par le réflecteur aux images est telle que le bord mal défini de la source virtuelle se trouve en toute circonstance éloigné de la coupure; il ne risque donc pas de perturber la formation de celle-ci; plus précisément, ce sont seulement les trois bords bien définis de la source virtuelle et de ses images qui engendrent la coupure, et celle-ci reste donc extrêmement nette.It can be observed that the rotation imparted by the reflector to the images is such that the ill-defined edge of the virtual source is in all circumstances far from the cut; it therefore does not risk disturbing the formation thereof; more precisely, these are only the three well-defined edges of the source and its images which cause the cut, and it therefore remains extremely clear.

Cette variante permet donc d'accroître l'intensité lumineuse du faisceau formé, sans nullement compromettre ses caractéristiques photométriques en matière de coupure.This variant therefore makes it possible to increase the light intensity of the beam formed, without in any way compromising its photometric characteristics in terms of cutting.

La figure 6 illustre une variante de réalisation du projecteur de la figure 2. Cette variante diffère de la réalisation de base principalement en ce que le grand axe de l'ellipsoïde défini par le premier réflecteur 20 est situé dans un plan horizontal mais incliné par rapport à l'axe optique Ox du second réflecteur 40 d'une valeur angulaire α qui est sensiblement inférieure à 90°, et en l'espèce de l'ordre de 45°. Dans cet exemple, la source réelle 10 est disposée en alignement avec le grand axe de l'ellipsoïde.Figure 6 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the projector of Figure 2. This variant differs from the basic embodiment mainly in that the major axis of the ellipsoid defined by the first reflector 20 is located in a horizontal plane but inclined relative to to the optical axis Ox of the second reflector 40 with an angular value α which is substantially less than 90 °, and in this case of the order of 45 °. In this example, the real source 10 is arranged in alignment with the major axis of the ellipsoid.

Il est à noter que le masque 30 et sa fenêtre 32 peuvent garder la même forme que celle que l'on a décrite plus haut.It should be noted that the mask 30 and its window 32 can keep the same shape as that which has been described above.

Une telle variante permet dans certains cas de récupérer plus facilement le flux lumineux émis par la source réelle 10. Plus précisément, l'ensemble de l'angle solide β occupé par le second réflecteur 40 vu de la fenêtre 32 peut être ici couvert sans que le premier réflecteur ne s'étende de manière éventuellement gênante vers l'arrière du projecteur, comme c'est le cas sur la figure 2. Plus précisément, les deux réflecteurs s'inscrivent dans ce cas sans problème dans les contours d'un projecteur de conception traditionnelle, ce qui s'avère avantageux du point de vue de l'encombrement.Such a variant makes it possible in certain cases to recover more easily the light flux emitted by the real source 10. More precisely, the whole of the solid angle β occupied by the second reflector 40 seen from the window 32 can be covered here without the first reflector does not extend in a possibly annoying way towards the rear of the projector, as is the case in FIG. 2. More precisely, the two reflectors fit in this case without problem in the contours of a projector traditional design, which is advantageous from the point of view of space.

Par ailleurs, on peut choisir l'orientation du grand axe de l'ellipse de manière à ce que l'étendue angulaire requise au niveau du premier réflecteur soit couverte avec un premier réflecteur qui soit symétrique par rapport à son grand axe, et donc plus facile à fabriquer. En particulier, l'utilisation d'une moitié d'ellipse, délimitée par un plan de symétrie perpendiculaire à son grand axe, peut s'avérer particulièrement préférable.Furthermore, one can choose the orientation of the major axis of the ellipse so that the required angular extent at the level of the first reflector is covered with a first reflector which is symmetrical with respect to its major axis, and therefore more easy to make. In particular, the use of half ellipse, delimited by a plane of symmetry perpendicular to its major axis, may prove to be particularly preferable.

Bien entendu, la présente invention n'est nullement limitée à la forme de réalisation décrite ci-dessus et représentée sur les dessins, mais l'homme de l'art saura y apporter toute variante ou modification conforme aux revendications.Of course, the present invention is in no way limited to the embodiment described above and shown in the drawings, but those skilled in the art will know how to make any variant or modification according to the claims.

En particulier, bien que l'on ait décrit ci-dessus le cas où le grand axe de l'ellipsoïde est situé dans un plan horizontal, ceci n'est pas à considérer comme limitatif.In particular, although the case where the major axis of the ellipsoid is situated in a horizontal plane has been described above, this is not to be considered as limiting.

Claims (10)

  1. A motor vehicle headlight comprising in combination:
       a light source (10) constituted by the arc of a discharge lamp and not presenting a defined shape;
       a first reflector (20) of the ellipsoid kind having a first focus (F1) situated in the vicinity of the source;
       a mask (30) passing through the second focus (F2) of the first reflector and presenting a light-passing window (32) in the vicinity of said second focus, the shape of the window being fixed and predetermined so as to define a virtual light source whose light emission pattern corresponds essentially to said shape and defines at least one rectilinear bottom edge; and
       a second reflector (40) situated on the opposite side of the mask to the first reflector, said second reflector (40) comprising a reflecting surface which generates images of the virtual source such that the topmost points of the images are situated in the close vicinity of a cutoff of a generated beam.
  2. A motor vehicle headlight comprising:
       a light source (10);
       a first reflector (20) of the ellipsoid kind having a first focus (F1) situated in the vicinity of the source;
       a mask (30) passing through the second focus (F2) of the first reflector and presenting a light-passing window (32) in the vicinity of said second focus, the shape of the window being fixed and predetermined so as to define a virtual light source whose light emission pattern corresponds essentially to said shape; and
       a second reflector (40) situated on the opposite side of the mask to the first reflector and having a surface which itself determines the positions of the images of the virtual source as a function of a determined photometric distribution,
       the straight line passing through the first and second focuses (F1, F2) of the first reflector extending obliquely relative to an optical axis of the second reflector.
  3. A headlight according to claim 2, characterized in that the light source (10) is the arc of a discharge lamp.
  4. A headlight according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the first reflector (20) is a portion of an ellipsoid whose first focus (F1) is situated substantially at the center of the light source (10), and whose second focus (F2) is situated substantially at the center of the window (32).
  5. A headlight according to claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the mask (30) is situated in a vertical plane (xOz).
  6. A headlight according to claim 5, characterized in that the mask is situated in a plane including the optical axis (Ox) of the second reflector (40).
  7. A headlight according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the window (32) is rectangular in shape, with its long sides being horizontal.
  8. A headlight according to any one of claims 1 to 6 characterized in that the window (32) is in the form of a notch extending vertically upwards from a horizontal bottom.
  9. A headlight according to claim 1, characterized in that the straight line passing through the first and second focuses (F1, F2) of the first reflector is substantially perpendicular to an optical axis (Ox) of the second reflector.
  10. A headlight according to claim 1, characterized in that the second reflector (40) has an optical axis (Ox) which lies in the plane of the mask (30) and which runs along said rectilinear bottom edge of the window (32), and has a reference focus (F0) situated at a determined position along said axis.
EP91400157A 1990-01-26 1991-01-24 Headlight with improved light source Expired - Lifetime EP0439406B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR9000920A FR2657680B1 (en) 1990-01-26 1990-01-26 MOTOR VEHICLE HEADLIGHT COMPRISING AN IMPROVED LIGHT SOURCE.
FR9000920 1990-01-26

Publications (2)

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EP0439406A1 EP0439406A1 (en) 1991-07-31
EP0439406B1 true EP0439406B1 (en) 1995-04-12

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EP (1) EP0439406B1 (en)
JP (1) JP2651753B2 (en)
DE (1) DE69108753T2 (en)
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FR (1) FR2657680B1 (en)

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ES2072558T3 (en) 1995-07-16
US5124891A (en) 1992-06-23
FR2657680A1 (en) 1991-08-02
DE69108753D1 (en) 1995-05-18
JP2651753B2 (en) 1997-09-10
EP0439406A1 (en) 1991-07-31
DE69108753T2 (en) 1995-08-24
FR2657680B1 (en) 1993-02-05
JPH04212202A (en) 1992-08-03

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