EP0723109B1 - Vehicle headlamp with dioptric means interposed between the light source and the reflector - Google Patents

Vehicle headlamp with dioptric means interposed between the light source and the reflector Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0723109B1
EP0723109B1 EP96400111A EP96400111A EP0723109B1 EP 0723109 B1 EP0723109 B1 EP 0723109B1 EP 96400111 A EP96400111 A EP 96400111A EP 96400111 A EP96400111 A EP 96400111A EP 0723109 B1 EP0723109 B1 EP 0723109B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
dioptre
mirror
source
optical axis
headlamp according
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Expired - Lifetime
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EP96400111A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0723109A1 (en
Inventor
Yann La Gallo
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Valeo Vision SAS
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Valeo Vision SAS
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    • 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
    • F21S41/60—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by a variable light distribution
    • F21S41/63—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by a variable light distribution by acting on refractors, filters or transparent cover plates
    • F21S41/635—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by a variable light distribution by acting on refractors, filters or transparent cover plates by moving refractors, filters or transparent cover plates
    • 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
    • F21S41/20—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by refractors, transparent cover plates, light guides or filters
    • F21S41/28—Cover glass

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to motor vehicle headlamps, and relates more particularly a projector capable of generating at least two beams of different types with a source and a unique reflector.
  • Document FR-A-2 699 259 already discloses a motor vehicle headlamp which includes a source luminous, a mirror focused near the source and a closing glass, and at least one thick blade made of a material capable of allowing at least one part of the spectrum of the radiation emitted by the source in direction of at least one region of the mirror, and means motorized to selectively move the blade (s) look at the source to ensure, by refraction, a defocusing the source relative to the mirror and vary the distribution of the radiation in the beam generates.
  • the thick blades have the shape of blades with parallel faces transparent to visible radiation, for selectively generate a focused driving beam in the axis and, when the blades are interposed on the path of light, one, wider road beam.
  • FR-A-1 534 089 a projector in which a transparent optical element with total reflection is placed below the lamp, in order to modify the configuration of the generated beam.
  • the present invention aims to overcome these limitations of the state of the art, and to propose a projector having a diopter which can be selectively interposed between the source and the mirror and capable of producing a widened beam, in particular a widened main beam, having the required qualities.
  • the present invention relates to a projector for a motor vehicle, comprising a light source, a mirror and a mirror, as well as at least one diopter capable of be selectively interposed between the source and at least a mirror area to provide refraction modification of the generated beam, characterized in at least one diopter has an interior surface generally cylindrical with an axis located in the vicinity of an optical axis of the mirror itself passing in the vicinity of the source, and an external surface whose inclination by interior surface area varies gradually from way to define a defocus by refraction progressive source both in horizontal direction along said optical axis and in vertical direction above and below the optical axis, and to ensure a source image shift essentially in lateral direction only, and in that the or each diopter has a limited angular extent so as to be interposed between the source and only one area side of the mirror.
  • a motor vehicle headlamp which includes a light source 10, in this case the filament generally cylindrical of an incandescent lamp, a parabolic mirror 20, focused at F on the source or in the vicinity thereof, a closing window 30, and two displaceable dioptres 40a, 40b which can be selectively interposed between source 10 and certain mirror areas 20.
  • Each diopter can occupy an inactive position or retracted (not shown), for example by being translated to through openings in the bottom region of the mirror, and a well-defined active position, such as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2.
  • the dioptres 40a, 40b are made in glass. If desired, these diopters can be in one material capable of acting on the spectral distribution of the light, according to the teachings of the aforementioned document.
  • the mirror 20 is divided into four areas, namely two side areas 21a, 21b, an upper zone 22 and a lower zone 23.
  • the lateral zones 21a, 21b are the covered zones by the solid angle of the respective diopter 40a, 40b seen from focus F of the mirror, while the other two zones 22, 23 remain directly exposed to light from the source, whatever the position of the diopters.
  • Each diopter 40a, 40b includes a surface interior, respectively 41a, 41b, which is cylindrical revolution and centered at least approximately on the axis optic A of the projector on which the filament 10 is aligned.
  • Each diopter further includes a surface exterior, respectively 42a, 42b, whose complex shape is chosen so as to ensure defocusing source variables to ensure broadening of the beam generated without, however, inducing an increase significant of the beam height.
  • these exterior surfaces are designed to ensure, through play progressive defocusing, great homogeneity in the spread of the beam, this homogeneity being so necessary worked at ice level.
  • the outer surface 42a or 42b is a surface such that, in sections by planes passing through the optical axis of the projector, the tilt mutual traces of interior and exterior surfaces in such a plan varies gradually, between a maximum mutual tilt, for example of the order of 45 °, at the rear end of the diopter (left on the Figure 1) and a minimum mutual tilt, for example from a few degrees to 10 °, approaching the front end of the diopter (on the right in figure 1.)
  • the exterior surfaces 42a, 42b of the diopters are such that in sections by planes vertical perpendicular to the optical axis of the projector, the inclination of the traces of the interior surfaces and outside of a diopter varies between maxima (for example of the order of 20 to 25 °) at the upper ends and lower and a minimum (zero angle) halfway up the diopter.
  • the defocus is all the more reduced as the point impact of the light ray on the mirror is distant, this which means that the small images of the filament in the generated beam are less horizontally deflected than the big pictures.
  • the part of the beam generated by the zones 21a, 21b therefore retains a spot of concentration luminous in the center line of the vehicle.
  • the diopter has the effect of shifting an image I1 in a generally lateral direction (image I3).
  • dioptres 40a, 40b have a limited angular extent on either side of the source 10 allows you to work on images of the source which evolve between a horizontal orientation and a certain oblique orientation, determined by this extent angular. In this way the enlargement is carried out on images which, in a projection plane, have a limited height.
  • the filament images generated by zones 22 and 23, which have two characteristics be large and either vertical or little inclined to the vertical, are not subject to spreading by the diopters. Indeed we have found that a shift of this type of image by means diopters could not be done without compromising the quality of the widened beam. These images therefore keep always the same position in the beam.
  • each diopter 40a, 40b is truncated in its front region so as to leave on the mirror, beyond zones 21a 21b subject to the action of dioptres, two marginal zones 24a, 24b which receive directly the light coming from the source whatever the position, retracted or active, of the diopter.
  • the truncation of the diopters is produced by conical surfaces (surface 43a for the diopter 40a in FIG. 3) centered on the optical axis and appropriate apex angle.
  • the mirror (FIG. 4) has six zones, 21a, 21b, 22, 23, 24a and 24b of which only zones 21a, 21b, defining a kind of bow tie on just one part of the width of the mirror, are affected by the interposition of diopters.
  • the outer surface 42a, 42b of each diopter can be defined either empirically or mathematically, by depending on the desired result.
  • the mirror 20 is parabolic, that is to say it generates a beam at long range and relatively narrow in the absence of dioptres, and that it generates an enlarged beam, but with a good concentration in the axis, in the presence of dioptres.
  • the invention can also be implemented works in other types of projectors.
  • the diopters according to the invention make it possible not to practically not modify the beam in height they can be used with auto-generating mirrors cut-off beams, i.e. whose surface is calculated to bring all the images of the filament below of a given cutoff limit, preferably in aligning the highest points of these images on this cut-off limit.
  • the invention can also be used in fog lights and spotlights for beams complementary to passing beams.
  • diopters according to the invention can be used to transform a long-range beam into an anti-fog beam, by the ability of the diopters to cause the drawdown towards the bottom of the pictures.
  • this proportion we can also play on the extent angle of the diopters, which determines the relative importance surfaces 21a, 21b with respect to surfaces 22, 23.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Non-Portable Lighting Devices Or Systems Thereof (AREA)
  • Lenses (AREA)
  • Lighting Device Outwards From Vehicle And Optical Signal (AREA)

Description

La présente invention a trait d'une façon générale aux projecteurs de véhicules automobiles, et concerne plus particulièrement un projecteur capable d'engendrer au moins deux faisceaux de types différents avec une source et un réflecteur uniques.The present invention relates generally to motor vehicle headlamps, and relates more particularly a projector capable of generating at least two beams of different types with a source and a unique reflector.

On connaít déjà par le document FR-A-2 699 259 un projecteur de véhicule automobile qui comprend une source lumineuse, un miroir focalisé au voisinage de la source et une glace de fermeture, et au moins une lame épaisse réalisée en un matériau apte à laisser passer au moins une partie du spectre du rayonnement émis par la source en direction d'au moins une région du miroir, et des moyens motorisés pour sélectivement déplacer la ou les lames en regard de la source afin d'assurer, par réfraction, une défocalisation de la source par rapport au miroir et de faire varier la répartition du rayonnement dans le faisceau engendré.Document FR-A-2 699 259 already discloses a motor vehicle headlamp which includes a source luminous, a mirror focused near the source and a closing glass, and at least one thick blade made of a material capable of allowing at least one part of the spectrum of the radiation emitted by the source in direction of at least one region of the mirror, and means motorized to selectively move the blade (s) look at the source to ensure, by refraction, a defocusing the source relative to the mirror and vary the distribution of the radiation in the beam generates.

Dans une forme de réalisation décrite dans ce document, les lames épaisses présentent la forme de lames à faces parallèles transparentes au rayonnement visible, pour sélectivement engendrer un faisceau de route concentré dans l'axe et, lorsque les lames sont interposées sur le trajet de la lumière, un, faisceau de route plus large.In an embodiment described in this document, the thick blades have the shape of blades with parallel faces transparent to visible radiation, for selectively generate a focused driving beam in the axis and, when the blades are interposed on the path of light, one, wider road beam.

On connaít également par le document US-A-4, 373 178 un luminaire dans lequel un dioptre de révolution à profil en forme de lentille est interposé entre la source et le miroir. Un tel luminaire répond toutefois à des exigences qui n'ont rien à voir avec celles de l'éclairage automobile.We also know from document US-A-4, 373 178 a luminaire in which a profile diopter of revolution in the form of a lens is interposed between the source and the mirror. However, such a luminaire meets requirements which have nothing to do with lighting automobile.

Enfin on connaít par FR-A-1 534 089 un projecteur dans lequel un élément optique transparent à réflexion totale est placé au-dessous de la lampe, en vue de modifier la configuration du faisceau engendré.Finally we know by FR-A-1 534 089 a projector in which a transparent optical element with total reflection is placed below the lamp, in order to modify the configuration of the generated beam.

Un inconvénient des solutions à dioptre connues réside en ce que la modification du faisceau obtenue lors de l'interposition du ou des dioptres est mal maítrisée. Plus précisément, si elle donne effectivement lieu à un certain élargissement du faisceau, elle induit également de façon indésirable un accroissement de l'épaisseur du faisceau, avec une quantité de lumière trop importante soit à proximité du véhicule, soit au-dessus de la route.One drawback of known diopter solutions is in that the modification of the beam obtained during the interposition of the diopter (s) is poorly controlled. More precisely, if it actually gives rise to a certain beam widening, it also induces an increase in the thickness of the beam, with too much light either near the vehicle, ie above the road.

La présente invention vise à pallier ces limitations de l'état de la technique, et à proposer un projecteur comportant un dioptre pouvant être sélectivement interposé entre la source et le miroir et capable de produire un faisceau élargi, notamment un faisceau de route élargi, ayant les qualités requises.The present invention aims to overcome these limitations of the state of the art, and to propose a projector having a diopter which can be selectively interposed between the source and the mirror and capable of producing a widened beam, in particular a widened main beam, having the required qualities.

Ainsi la présente invention concerne un projecteur pour véhicule automobile, comprenant une source lumineuse, un miroir et une glace, ainsi qu'au moins un dioptre apte à être sélectivement interposé entre la source et au moins une zone du miroir pour assurer par réfraction une modification du faisceau engendré, caractérisé en ce qu'au moins un dioptre comprend une surface intérieure généralement cylindrique dont l'axe se situe au voisinage d'un axe optique du miroir passant lui-même au voisinage de la source, et une surface extérieure dont l'inclinaison par rapport à la surface intérieure varie progressivement de manière à définir par réfraction une défocalisation progressive de la source à la fois en direction horizontale suivant ledit axe optique et en direction verticale au-dessus et au-dessous de l'axe optique, et à assurer un décalage des images de la source essentiellement en direction latérale seulement, et en ce que le ou chaque dioptre présente une étendue angulaire limitée de manière à être interposé entre la source et seulement une zone latérale du miroir.Thus the present invention relates to a projector for a motor vehicle, comprising a light source, a mirror and a mirror, as well as at least one diopter capable of be selectively interposed between the source and at least a mirror area to provide refraction modification of the generated beam, characterized in at least one diopter has an interior surface generally cylindrical with an axis located in the vicinity of an optical axis of the mirror itself passing in the vicinity of the source, and an external surface whose inclination by interior surface area varies gradually from way to define a defocus by refraction progressive source both in horizontal direction along said optical axis and in vertical direction above and below the optical axis, and to ensure a source image shift essentially in lateral direction only, and in that the or each diopter has a limited angular extent so as to be interposed between the source and only one area side of the mirror.

Des aspects préférés, mais non limitatifs, du projecteur selon l'invention sont les suivants :

  • la surface intérieure du ou de chaque dioptre est cylindrique de révolution.
  • le projecteur comporte deux dioptres identiques aptes à être interposés de part et d'autre de la source.
  • en direction horizontale, le ou chaque dioptre assure une défocalisation qui diminue progressivement de sa région proche du fond du miroir vers sa région éloignée du fond du miroir.
  • l'inclinaison mutuelle des faces intérieure et extérieure du ou de chaque dioptre, dans un plan horizontal passant par l'axe optique, diminue sensiblement linéairement en fonction de la cote suivant ledit axe optique.
  • en direction verticale, la défocalisation est minimale, de préférence nulle, dans un plan horizontal passant par l'axe optique pour atteindre deux maxima aux extrémités supérieure et inférieure de chaque dioptre.
  • le ou chaque dioptre est tronqué à son extrémité éloignée du fond du miroir, de manière à laisser une partie marginale du miroir exposée directement à la source quelle que soit la position du dioptre.
  • le ou chaque dioptre est tronqué par une surface généralement conique centrée sur l'axe optique.
Preferred, but not limiting, aspects of the projector according to the invention are as follows:
  • the inner surface of the or each diopter is cylindrical in revolution.
  • the projector has two identical dioptres able to be interposed on either side of the source.
  • in the horizontal direction, the or each diopter provides a defocus which progressively decreases from its region near the bottom of the mirror to its region remote from the bottom of the mirror.
  • the mutual inclination of the inner and outer faces of the or each diopter, in a horizontal plane passing through the optical axis, decreases substantially linearly as a function of the dimension along said optical axis.
  • in the vertical direction, the defocusing is minimal, preferably zero, in a horizontal plane passing through the optical axis to reach two maxima at the upper and lower ends of each diopter.
  • the or each diopter is truncated at its end remote from the bottom of the mirror, so as to leave a marginal part of the mirror exposed directly to the source whatever the position of the diopter.
  • the or each diopter is truncated by a generally conical surface centered on the optical axis.

D'autres aspects, buts et avantages de la présente invention apparaítront mieux à la lecture de la description détaillée suivante de formes de réalisation préférées de celle-ci, donnée à titre d'exemple non limitatif et faite en référence au dessin annexé, sur lequel :

  • la figure 1 est une demi-vue schématique en coupe horizontale d'un projecteur selon la présente invention,
  • la figure 2 est une vue de face d'une partie du projecteur de la figure 1,
  • la figure 3 est une vue en coupe horizontale d'un projecteur selon une variante de réalisation de l'invention,
  • la figure 4 est une vue de face du miroir du projecteur de la figure 3, illustrant différentes zones,
  • la figure 5 est une vue à échelle agrandie illustrant le comportement optique d'une partie du projecteur de la figure 1 dans un plan horizontal,
  • la figure 6 est une vue à échelle agrandie illustrant le comportement optique d'une partie du projecteur de la figure 1 dans un plan vertical transversal à l'axe optique, et
  • la figure 7 illustre dans un plan de projection le déplacement d'une image du filament occasionnée par l'interposition d'un dioptre, en l'absence de la glace de fermeture du projecteur.
    • Other aspects, aims and advantages of the present invention will appear better on reading the following detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof, given by way of non-limiting example and made with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which :
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic half-view in horizontal section of a projector according to the present invention,
  • FIG. 2 is a front view of part of the projector of FIG. 1,
  • FIG. 3 is a view in horizontal section of a headlight according to an alternative embodiment of the invention,
  • FIG. 4 is a front view of the mirror of the projector of FIG. 3, illustrating different zones,
  • FIG. 5 is a view on an enlarged scale illustrating the optical behavior of part of the projector of FIG. 1 in a horizontal plane,
  • FIG. 6 is a view on an enlarged scale illustrating the optical behavior of part of the headlight of FIG. 1 in a vertical plane transverse to the optical axis, and
  • FIG. 7 illustrates in a projection plane the displacement of an image of the filament caused by the interposition of a diopter, in the absence of the lens for closing the projector.

    • On notera préliminairement que, d'une figure à l'autre, des éléments ou parties identiques ou similaires sont désignés dans la mesure du possible par les mêmes signes de référence.Preliminary note that from one figure to the other, identical or similar elements or parts are designated as far as possible by the same reference signs.

    En référence tout d'abord aux figures 1 et 2, on a représenté un projecteur de véhicule automobile qui comprend une source lumineuse 10, en l'espèce le filament généralement cylindrique d'une lampe à incandescence, un miroir 20 du genre parabolique, focalisé en F sur la source ou au voisinage de celle-ci, une glace de fermeture 30, et deux dioptres déplaçables 40a, 40b pouvant être sélectivement interposés entre la source 10 et certaines zones du miroir 20.Referring first to Figures 1 and 2, we have depicted a motor vehicle headlamp which includes a light source 10, in this case the filament generally cylindrical of an incandescent lamp, a parabolic mirror 20, focused at F on the source or in the vicinity thereof, a closing window 30, and two displaceable dioptres 40a, 40b which can be selectively interposed between source 10 and certain mirror areas 20.

    Chaque dioptre peut occuper une position inactive ou escamotée (non illustrée), par exemple en étant translaté à travers des ouvertures prévues dans la région du fond du miroir, et une position active bien déterminée, telle qu'illustrée sur les figures 1 et 2.Each diopter can occupy an inactive position or retracted (not shown), for example by being translated to through openings in the bottom region of the mirror, and a well-defined active position, such as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2.

    On ne décrira pas ici les moyens de support des dioptres ni les moyens motorisés destinés à leur déplacement, ces moyens pouvant par exemple être du type décrit dans le document FR-A-2 699 259.We will not describe here the means of supporting dioptres nor the motorized means intended for their displacement, these means can for example be of the type described in document FR-A-2 699 259.

    De préférence, les dioptres 40a, 40b sont réalisés en verre. Si on le souhaite, ces dioptres peuvent être en un matériau apte à agir sur la répartition spectrale de la lumière, selon les enseignements du document précité.Preferably, the dioptres 40a, 40b are made in glass. If desired, these diopters can be in one material capable of acting on the spectral distribution of the light, according to the teachings of the aforementioned document.

    Comme on le voit bien sur la figure 2, le miroir 20 est divisé en quatre zones, à savoir deux zones latérales 21a, 21b, une zone supérieure 22 et une zone inférieure 23.As can be seen in FIG. 2, the mirror 20 is divided into four areas, namely two side areas 21a, 21b, an upper zone 22 and a lower zone 23.

    Les zones latérales 21a, 21b sont les zones couvertes par l'angle solide du dioptre respectif 40a, 40b vu du foyer F du miroir, tandis que les deux autres zones 22, 23 restent directement exposées à la lumière issue de la source, quelle que soit la position des dioptres.The lateral zones 21a, 21b are the covered zones by the solid angle of the respective diopter 40a, 40b seen from focus F of the mirror, while the other two zones 22, 23 remain directly exposed to light from the source, whatever the position of the diopters.

    Chaque dioptre 40a, 40b comprend une surface intérieure, respectivement 41a, 41b, qui est cylindrique de révolution et centrée au moins approximativement sur l'axe optique A du projecteur sur lequel le filament 10 est aligné. Chaque dioptre comprend en outre une surface extérieure, respectivement 42a, 42b, dont la forme complexe est choisie de manière à assurer des défocalisations variables de la source afin d'assurer un élargissement du faisceau engendré sans toutefois induire un accroissement significatif de la hauteur du faisceau. En outre, ces surfaces extérieures sont conçues pour assurer, par le jeu de défocalisations progressives, une grande homogénéité dans l'étalement du faisceau, cette homogénéité étant si nécessaire travaillée au niveau de la glace.Each diopter 40a, 40b includes a surface interior, respectively 41a, 41b, which is cylindrical revolution and centered at least approximately on the axis optic A of the projector on which the filament 10 is aligned. Each diopter further includes a surface exterior, respectively 42a, 42b, whose complex shape is chosen so as to ensure defocusing source variables to ensure broadening of the beam generated without, however, inducing an increase significant of the beam height. In addition, these exterior surfaces are designed to ensure, through play progressive defocusing, great homogeneity in the spread of the beam, this homogeneity being so necessary worked at ice level.

    Plus précisément, la surface extérieure 42a ou 42b est une surface telle que, dans des coupes par des plans passant par l'axe optique du projecteur, l'inclinaison mutuelle des traces des surfaces intérieure et extérieure dans de tels plan varie progressivement, entre une inclinaison mutuelle maximale, par exemple de l'ordre de 45°, à l'extrémité arrière du dioptre (à gauche sur la figure 1) et une inclinaison mutuelle minimale, par exemple de quelques degrés à 10°, en se rapprochant de l'extrémité avant du dioptre (à droite sur la figure 1.)More specifically, the outer surface 42a or 42b is a surface such that, in sections by planes passing through the optical axis of the projector, the tilt mutual traces of interior and exterior surfaces in such a plan varies gradually, between a maximum mutual tilt, for example of the order of 45 °, at the rear end of the diopter (left on the Figure 1) and a minimum mutual tilt, for example from a few degrees to 10 °, approaching the front end of the diopter (on the right in figure 1.)

    En outre, les surfaces extérieures 42a, 42b des dioptres sont telles que, dans des coupes par des plans verticaux perpendiculaires à l'axe optique du projecteur, l'inclinaison des traces des surfaces intérieure et extérieure d'un dioptre varie entre des maxima (par exemple de l'ordre de 20 à 25°) aux extrémités supérieure et inférieure et un minimum (angle nul) à mi-hauteur du dioptre.In addition, the exterior surfaces 42a, 42b of the diopters are such that in sections by planes vertical perpendicular to the optical axis of the projector, the inclination of the traces of the interior surfaces and outside of a diopter varies between maxima (for example of the order of 20 to 25 °) at the upper ends and lower and a minimum (zero angle) halfway up the diopter.

    En référence à la figure 5, on a illustré deux défocalisations différentes pour deux directions différentes de la lumière issue du foyer F dans le plan horizontal axial. pour le rayon R1, dirigé le plus en arrière, le dioptre 40b crée une source virtuelle 101 placée sensiblement en arrière de la source réelle 10. Pour le rayon R2, moins incliné vers l'arrière, la source virtuelle obtenue 102 est moins décalée vers l'arrière.With reference to FIG. 5, two illustrations have been illustrated. different defocuses for two directions different from the light coming from the focal point F in the plane horizontal axial. for radius R1, directed the most rear, the diopter 40b creates a virtual source 101 placed significantly behind the actual source 10. For the radius R2, less inclined backwards, the source virtual obtained 102 is less shifted backwards.

    Ainsi l'on comprend que la défocalisation diminue de façon progressive à mesure que l'on se déplace de l'arrière vers l'avant du dioptre, pour ainsi assurer un étalement latéral essentiellement continu de la lumière.So we understand that defocusing decreases by gradually as you move from the back towards the front of the diopter, thus ensuring spreading essentially continuous lateral light.

    On observe en outre que, dans ce cas de figure, la défocalisation est d'autant plus réduite que le point d'impact du rayon lumineux sur le miroir est éloigné, ce qui signifie que les petites images du filament dans le faisceau engendré sont moins déviées horizontalement que les grandes images. La partie de faisceau engendrée par les zones 21a, 21b conserve donc une tache de concentration lumineuse dans l'axe du véhicule. We also observe that, in this case, the defocus is all the more reduced as the point impact of the light ray on the mirror is distant, this which means that the small images of the filament in the generated beam are less horizontally deflected than the big pictures. The part of the beam generated by the zones 21a, 21b therefore retains a spot of concentration luminous in the center line of the vehicle.

    En référence à la figure 6, on observe que le plus les rayons R3, R4 issus du foyer F sont inclinés vers le haut ou vers le bas, plus la source virtuelle correspondante, respectivement 103, 104, est décalée, également vers le haut ou vers le bas.Referring to Figure 6, we observe that the more rays R3, R4 from focus F are tilted upwards or down, plus the corresponding virtual source, respectively 103, 104, is shifted, also towards the up or down.

    Maintenant, si l'on se place en un point quelconque du dioptre, on comprend que les phénomènes illustrés sur les figures 5 et 6 vont se cumuler, pour ainsi élargir le faisceau de façon variable sans influence significative sur sa répartition en hauteur. Plus précisément, et maintenant en référence à la figure 7, une image inclinée du filament, désignée par I1, qui serait pratiquement centrée sur le centre de référence d'un écran de projection en l'absence du dioptre, va subir de par la présence du dioptre d'une part un décalage suivant son grand axe (flèche F1), pour obtenir l'image I2, et d'autre part un rabattement vertical (flèche F2), pour revenir à une hauteur voisine de celle de l'axe optique comme le montre l'image I3.Now, if we position ourselves at any point of the dioptre, we understand that the phenomena illustrated on the Figures 5 and 6 will add up, thus widening the beam in a variable way without significant influence on its height distribution. More precisely, and now with reference to FIG. 7, an inclined image of the filament, designated by I1, which would be practically centered on the reference center of a projection screen in the absence of the diopter, will suffer from the presence of the diopter of a share a shift along its major axis (arrow F1), to get the image I2, and on the other hand a vertical drawdown (arrow F2), to return to a height close to that of the optical axis as shown in picture I3.

    Ainsi le dioptre a pour effet de décaler une image I1 dans une direction généralement latérale (image I3).Thus the diopter has the effect of shifting an image I1 in a generally lateral direction (image I3).

    Le fait que les dioptres 40a, 40b présentent une étendue angulaire limitée de part et d'autre de la source 10 permet de travailler sur des images de la source qui évoluent entre une orientation horizontale et une certaine orientation oblique, déterminée par cette étendue angulaire. De la sorte l'élargissement est effectué sur des images qui, dans un plan de projection, présentent une hauteur limitée.The fact that the dioptres 40a, 40b have a limited angular extent on either side of the source 10 allows you to work on images of the source which evolve between a horizontal orientation and a certain oblique orientation, determined by this extent angular. In this way the enlargement is carried out on images which, in a projection plane, have a limited height.

    Au contraire, les images du filament engendrées par les zones 22 et 23, qui ont pour double caractéristique d'être de grande taille et d'être soit verticales, soit peu inclinées par rapport à la verticale, ne sont pas assujetties à un étalement par les dioptres. En effet on a constaté qu'un décalage de ce type d'image par des moyens dioptriques ne pouvait pas s'effectuer sans compromettre la qualité du faisceau élargi. Ces images gardent donc toujours la même position dans le faisceau.On the contrary, the filament images generated by zones 22 and 23, which have two characteristics be large and either vertical or little inclined to the vertical, are not subject to spreading by the diopters. Indeed we have found that a shift of this type of image by means diopters could not be done without compromising the quality of the widened beam. These images therefore keep always the same position in the beam.

    En référence maintenant aux figures 3 et 4, on a illustré une variante de réalisation d'un projecteur de l'invention, selon laquelle chaque dioptre 40a, 40b est tronqué dans sa région avant de manière à laisser sur le miroir, au delà des zones 21a 21b sujettes à l'action des dioptres, deux zones marginales 24a, 24b qui reçoivent directement la lumière issue de la source quelle que soit la position, escamotée ou active, du dioptre.Referring now to Figures 3 and 4, we have illustrated an alternative embodiment of a projector the invention, according to which each diopter 40a, 40b is truncated in its front region so as to leave on the mirror, beyond zones 21a 21b subject to the action of dioptres, two marginal zones 24a, 24b which receive directly the light coming from the source whatever the position, retracted or active, of the diopter.

    De façon préférée, la troncature des dioptres est réalisée par des surfaces coniques (surface 43a pour le dioptre 40a sur la figure 3) centrées sur l'axe optique et d'angle au sommet approprié.Preferably, the truncation of the diopters is produced by conical surfaces (surface 43a for the diopter 40a in FIG. 3) centered on the optical axis and appropriate apex angle.

    De cette manière, lorsque les dioptres sont placés en position active, seules des images issues du fond du miroir et les images de taille moyenne du filament vont être traitées par les dioptres, pour ainsi élargir le faisceau de façon homogène, tandis que les petites images engendrées par les zones marginales 24a, 24b, les plus éloignées du filament, restent positionnées dans l'axe du faisceau pour conserver une forte concentration du faisceau selon cet axe.In this way, when the diopters are placed in active position, only images from the bottom of the mirror and the medium-sized filament images are going to be processed by the diopters, thereby broadening the beam homogeneously, while the small images generated by the marginal zones 24a, 24b, the most distant from filament, remain positioned in the beam axis to keep a high beam concentration according to this axis.

    Ainsi le miroir (figure 4) comporte six zones, 21a, 21b, 22, 23, 24a et 24b dont seules les zones 21a, 21b, définissant une sorte de noeud papillon sur seulement une partie de la largeur du miroir, sont touchées par l'interposition des dioptres. On a également indiqué sur la figure 3 une zone 25 correspondant au trou de lampe.Thus the mirror (FIG. 4) has six zones, 21a, 21b, 22, 23, 24a and 24b of which only zones 21a, 21b, defining a kind of bow tie on just one part of the width of the mirror, are affected by the interposition of diopters. We also indicated on the Figure 3 an area 25 corresponding to the lamp hole.

    La surface extérieure 42a, 42b de chaque dioptre peut être définie soit empiriquement, soit mathématiquement, en fonction du résultat recherché.The outer surface 42a, 42b of each diopter can be defined either empirically or mathematically, by depending on the desired result.

    On va indiquer ci-dessous une équation possible pour la trace de la surface extérieure 42b du dioptre 40b dans le plan horizontal axial, cette équation étant donnée dans le système d'axes (x,y) représenté sur la figure 5 : y(x) = ∫Dxtan(A(x)).dx où

  • A(x) = α(1-(x/l))
  • Dx = [0;l]
  • 0 = origine des coordonnées à l'intersection des traces 41b, 42b,
  • l = longueur de la surface suivant x.
    • We will indicate below a possible equation for the trace of the external surface 42b of the diopter 40b in the horizontal axial plane, this equation being given in the system of axes (x, y) represented in FIG. 5: y (x) = ∫ Dx tan (A (x)). dx or
  • A (x) = α (1- (x / l ))
  • Dx = [0; l ]
  • 0 = origin of coordinates at the intersection of traces 41b, 42b,
  • l = length of the surface along x.

    • L'intégration donne : y(x) = (l/α).ln(cos(A(α)/cos(α)) Integration gives: y (x) = ( l /α).ln(cos(A(α)/cos(α))

    Cette équation permet d'assurer une diminution de l'inclinaison mutuelle des traces 41b, 42b qui évolue linéairement en fonction de la cote en x. Bien entendu, on peut prévoir un profil qui donne une évolution non linéaire.This equation ensures a decrease in the mutual inclination of the traces 41b, 42b which evolves linearly as a function of the dimension in x. Of course, we can provide a profile which gives an evolution not linear.

    Dans la description ci-dessus, le miroir 20 est parabolique, c'est-à-dire qu'il engendre un faisceau à longue portée et relativement étroit en l'absence des dioptres, et qu'il engendre un faisceau élargi, mais avec une bonne concentration dans l'axe, en présence des dioptres.In the description above, the mirror 20 is parabolic, that is to say it generates a beam at long range and relatively narrow in the absence of dioptres, and that it generates an enlarged beam, but with a good concentration in the axis, in the presence of dioptres.

    Bien entendu, l'invention peut être également mise en oeuvre dans d'autres types de projecteurs. En particulier, du fait que les dioptres selon l'invention permettent de ne pratiquement pas modifier le faisceau en hauteur, ils peuvent être utilisés avec des miroirs auto-générateurs de faisceaux à coupure, c'est-à-dire dont la surface est calculée pour amener toutes les images du filament au-dessous d'une limite de coupure donnée, de préférence en alignant les points les plus hauts de ces images sur cette limite de coupure. L'invention peut également être utilisée dans des projecteurs anti-brouillard et des projecteurs pour faisceaux complémentaires des faisceaux de croisement.Of course, the invention can also be implemented works in other types of projectors. In particular, the fact that the diopters according to the invention make it possible not to practically not modify the beam in height they can be used with auto-generating mirrors cut-off beams, i.e. whose surface is calculated to bring all the images of the filament below of a given cutoff limit, preferably in aligning the highest points of these images on this cut-off limit. The invention can also be used in fog lights and spotlights for beams complementary to passing beams.

    Selon une autre réalisation intéressante, des dioptres selon l'invention peuvent être utilisés pour transformer un faisceau à longue portée en un faisceau anti-brouillard, de par l'aptitude des dioptres à provoquer le rabattement vers le bas des images.According to another interesting embodiment, diopters according to the invention can be used to transform a long-range beam into an anti-fog beam, by the ability of the diopters to cause the drawdown towards the bottom of the pictures.

    En outre, selon une autre variante, on peut prévoir, pour diminuer la proportion de lumière sujette à l'élargissement par les dioptres, ne prévoir qu'un seul dioptre d'un côté de la source. Pour moduler à souhait cette proportion, on peut également jouer sur l'étendue angulaire des dioptres, qui détermine l'importance relative des surfaces 21a, 21b par rapport aux surfaces 22, 23.In addition, according to another variant, provision can be made, to decrease the proportion of light subject to enlargement by the diopters, provide only one diopter on one side of the source. To adjust as desired this proportion, we can also play on the extent angle of the diopters, which determines the relative importance surfaces 21a, 21b with respect to surfaces 22, 23.

    Claims (8)

    1. Headlamp for a motor vehicle, comprising a light source (10), a mirror (20) and glass (30), as well as at least one dioptre (40a, 40b) able to be selectively interposed between the source and at least one area (21a, 21b) of the mirror in order, by refraction, to modify the beam generated, characterised in that at least one dioptre (40a, 40b) comprises a generally cylindrical inner surface (41a, 41b) the axis of which is situated in the vicinity of an optical axis (A) of the mirror itself passing in the vicinity of the source (10), and an outer surface (42a, 42b) the inclination of which with respect to the inner surface varies progressively in such a way as, by refraction, to define a progressive de-focusing of the source both in the horizontal direction along the said optical axis and in the vertical direction above and below the optical axis, and to cause a shifting of the images of the source essentially in the lateral direction only, and in that the or each dioptre features a limited angular extent so as to be interposed between the source and only one lateral area (21a, 21b) of the mirror.
    2. Headlamp according to Claim 1, characterised in that the inner surface (41a, 41b) of the or of each dioptre is cylindrically axisymmetric.
    3. Headlamp according to one of Claims 1 and 2, characterised in that it includes two identical dioptres (40a, 40b) able to be interposed on either side of the source (10).
    4. Headlamp according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that, in the horizontal direction, the or each dioptre (40a, 40b) causes de-focusing which reduces progressively from its region close to the back of the mirror towards its region away from the back of the mirror.
    5. Headlamp according to Claim 4, characterised in that the mutual inclination of the inner and outer faces (41a, 41b; 42a, 42b) of the or of each dioptre, in a horizontal plane passing through the optical axis, reduces substantially linearly as a function of the dimension (x) along the said optical axis (A).
    6. Headlamp according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that, in the vertical direction, the de-focusing is minimal, preferably zero, in a horizontal plane passing through the optical axis and reaches two maxima at the upper and lower extremities of each dioptre (40a, 40b).
    7. Headlamp according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the or each dioptre (40a, 40b) is truncated (43a, 42b) at its end away from the back of the mirror, so as to leave a marginal part of the mirror directly exposed to the source whatever the position of the dioptre.
    8. Headlamp according to Claim 7, characterised in that the or each dioptre is truncated by a generally conical surface (43a, 43b) centred on the optical axis.
    EP96400111A 1995-01-19 1996-01-17 Vehicle headlamp with dioptric means interposed between the light source and the reflector Expired - Lifetime EP0723109B1 (en)

    Applications Claiming Priority (2)

    Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
    FR9500576 1995-01-19
    FR9500576A FR2729740B1 (en) 1995-01-19 1995-01-19 MOTOR VEHICLE HEADLIGHT COMPRISING DIOPTRIC MEANS INTERPOSED BETWEEN THE SOURCE AND THE MIRROR

    Publications (2)

    Publication Number Publication Date
    EP0723109A1 EP0723109A1 (en) 1996-07-24
    EP0723109B1 true EP0723109B1 (en) 2001-06-06

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    ID=9475279

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    Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
    EP96400111A Expired - Lifetime EP0723109B1 (en) 1995-01-19 1996-01-17 Vehicle headlamp with dioptric means interposed between the light source and the reflector

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    US (1) US5803576A (en)
    EP (1) EP0723109B1 (en)
    JP (1) JPH08249905A (en)
    DE (1) DE69613158T2 (en)
    FR (1) FR2729740B1 (en)

    Families Citing this family (2)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    JP4047185B2 (en) * 2003-02-06 2008-02-13 株式会社小糸製作所 Vehicle headlamp and light emitting module
    FR2853718B1 (en) * 2003-04-08 2005-09-23 Valeo Vision LIGHTING PROJECTOR FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE COMPRISING MEANS FOR TRANSVERSALLY EXAMINING THE LIGHT BEAM

    Family Cites Families (4)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    GB336546A (en) * 1929-03-22 1930-10-16 Zeiss Carl Improvements in reflector lamps for vehicles
    DE1097927B (en) * 1958-11-28 1961-01-26 Westfaelische Metall Ind K G H Dipped motor vehicle headlight with parabolic reflector and single filament light bulb
    FR2621679B1 (en) * 1987-10-13 1990-02-09 Cibie Projecteurs LOW HEIGHT HIGH SPEED RECOVERY ROAD PROJECTOR FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE
    FR2699259B1 (en) * 1992-12-14 1995-03-03 Valeo Vision Motor vehicle headlamp comprising means for generating two different beams from the same source and from the same mirror.

    Also Published As

    Publication number Publication date
    US5803576A (en) 1998-09-08
    FR2729740A1 (en) 1996-07-26
    EP0723109A1 (en) 1996-07-24
    JPH08249905A (en) 1996-09-27
    DE69613158D1 (en) 2001-07-12
    DE69613158T2 (en) 2002-05-02
    FR2729740B1 (en) 1997-04-18

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