EP1564482B1 - Projection-type vehicle headlamp comprising a shade made of transparent material - Google Patents

Projection-type vehicle headlamp comprising a shade made of transparent material Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP1564482B1
EP1564482B1 EP05290257A EP05290257A EP1564482B1 EP 1564482 B1 EP1564482 B1 EP 1564482B1 EP 05290257 A EP05290257 A EP 05290257A EP 05290257 A EP05290257 A EP 05290257A EP 1564482 B1 EP1564482 B1 EP 1564482B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
screen
headlight
occulting
lighting
zone
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.)
Not-in-force
Application number
EP05290257A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1564482A1 (en
Inventor
Pierre Albou
Boris Wiegand
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
Original Assignee
Valeo Vision SAS
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Valeo Vision SAS filed Critical Valeo Vision SAS
Publication of EP1564482A1 publication Critical patent/EP1564482A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1564482B1 publication Critical patent/EP1564482B1/en
Not-in-force legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

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
    • F21S41/60—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by a variable light distribution
    • F21S41/68—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by a variable light distribution by acting on screens
    • F21S41/683—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by a variable light distribution by acting on screens by moving screens
    • F21S41/695—Screens rotating around a vertical axis
    • 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

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a projector of the elliptical type for a motor vehicle.
  • the present invention more particularly relates to a motor vehicle headlamp, comprising a light source, an elliptical reflector whose first focus is located in the vicinity of the source, a convergent lens having a focal plane passes in the vicinity of a second focus of the reflector, and an occultation screen which is interposed axially, along the longitudinal optical axis of the projector, between the reflector and the lens, and which delimits a cutoff profile in the light beam emitted by the source to produce a beam Rainy day lighting regulation with an area of less illumination below the cut-off.
  • the blackout screen constitutes a diaphragm whose edge forms the cutoff profile which is reproduced towards infinity, at the front of the vehicle, by the objective formed here by the lens, to form a lighting beam having a cut whose shape corresponds to the cutoff profile.
  • the diaphragm reproduced by the lens makes it possible to obtain a darkness / clarity limit whose shape is perfectly defined according to the needs, with a sharpness or a desired blur.
  • the regulatory beam for rainy weather lighting has the particularity of having a cut-off profile identical to that of a regulatory crossing beam and of having a zone of lower illumination which is situated below the cut-off, inside. of the lighting beam.
  • the regulation imposes a weakening of the illumination below the cutoff profile and to the left of the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, in the case of a traffic on the right of the roadway.
  • the zone of less illumination is intended to prevent drivers traveling on the opposite lane from being dazzled by the reflection of the light rays on the left side of the roadway between the two vehicles traveling in opposite directions, due to the wet condition of the vehicle. floor.
  • the elliptical projector is generally intended to produce several regulatory lighting beams, in particular a conventional passing beam, since the lighting beam in rainy weather only corresponds to a particular traffic situation.
  • the elliptical headlamp is provided with at least one movable occultation screen at several positions corresponding to several regulatory lighting beams, including the lighting beam in rainy weather.
  • an occultation screen tilting about a horizontal transverse axis between a concealment position and a retracted position.
  • This screen has a cutoff profile corresponding to a regulatory crossing beam and a transverse tab which is intended to form the area of lower illumination corresponding to the lighting beam in rainy weather.
  • the occultation screen is movable between an active position in which the screen obscures part of the light rays emitted by the source so that the projector realizes a regulation light beam in rainy weather, and a retracted position in which the projector achieves another regulatory lighting beam.
  • the tab is attached to the front of the screen and extends vertically upward. Therefore, it forms, in the lighting beam, a zone of less illumination that extends to the cut.
  • the lighting beam obtained is not entirely satisfactory because the tongue deteriorates the quality of the lighting beam near the cut.
  • defocused tab creates an imbalance on the mobile screen.
  • the presence of this unbalance is particularly troublesome in a projector comprising a drum mounted to rotate about an axis inclined in the longitudinal plane, such as the conical drum which is described in the document FR-A-2815310 .
  • the unbalance effect produced by the defocused tab on the pivoting part can be a source of vibration in the projector and it can cause premature wear of the motor that drives the drum.
  • the presence of the defocused tab may cause congestion problems inside the projector, including mechanical interference, depending on the different angular positions occupied by the blackout screen.
  • the invention aims to remedy these drawbacks by proposing a simple, effective and economical solution.
  • the invention proposes a projector of the type described above, characterized in that the occultation screen comprises at least a generally transverse portion which is made of transparent material and which extends above the cutoff profile , in that this transparent portion of the occultation screen comprises a zone of lesser transparency which forms the zone of less illumination in the regulatory lighting beam.
  • FIG. 1 and 2 there is shown a projector 10 for a motor vehicle that is made according to the teachings of the invention.
  • the projector 10 comprises a light source 12 and a reflector 14 of the elliptical type.
  • the light source 12 is arranged globally at the first focus of the elliptical reflector 14.
  • a longitudinal optical axis A1 which is oriented from the rear towards the front, in the direction of illumination of the projector 10 is defined in a nonlimiting manner, which corresponds to an orientation of the left towards the right by considering the figure 1 .
  • the projector 10 comprises at the front a lens holder 16 which is fixed on the peripheral front axial end edge 15 of the reflector 14.
  • a convergent lens 18 is mounted in the opening formed at the forward axial end of the lens holder 16.
  • the lens 18 is partially shown in the figures.
  • the focal plane of the lens 18 is located generally in the vicinity of a second focus of the reflector 14.
  • the reflector 14 and the lens holder 16 here constitute a frame of the projector 10.
  • the projector 10 may further comprise a housing (not shown) closing the frame and be protected by a protective glass (not shown).
  • the projector 10 comprises a fixed screen, which will be called mask 20, shaped curved plate.
  • the mask 20 is fixed rigidly to the frame, here by means of two transverse fixing lugs 22, 24.
  • Each fixing lug 22, 24 is in this case clamped axially between a portion of the front peripheral edge 15 of the reflector 14 and a portion of the peripheral edge. 26 vis-à-vis the lens holder 16.
  • the mask 20 has a vertical generatrix in the form of a circular arc, whose center of curvature is arranged on the optical axis A1 at the front of the projector 10.
  • the curve profile of the mask 20, in horizontal axial section, follows globally the field curvature of the lens 18, and the mask 20 extends in the vicinity of the focal plane of the lens 18.
  • the mask 20 preferably extends over the entire transverse width of the reflector 14, and it extends vertically mainly in the lower half of the reflector 14.
  • the upper edge 28 of the mask 20 has a cutout 29 centered on the optical axis A1 whose transverse width corresponds generally to the transverse width of the focal zone useful for the production of the illumination beams.
  • the projector 10 comprises an occultation screen 30 which is interposed axially, along the longitudinal optical axis A1, between the reflector 14 and the lens 18, and which delimits at least one cutoff profile 32, 34 in the beam light emitted by the source 12 in order to achieve a regulatory beam of lighting in rainy weather said rain beam Fp.
  • the occulting screen 30 is arranged in front of the mask 20, so that it extends at least partly in the focal plane of the lens 18.
  • the occultation screen 30 and the mask 20 are provided to cooperate together so as to form the rain beam Fp.
  • the occulting screen 30 is provided to selectively obscure a portion of the light rays emitted above the upper edge of the cutout 29 of the mask 20.
  • the occulting screen 30 is pivotally mounted about an axis A2 contained generally in a vertical longitudinal plane, and slightly inclined relative to the vertical direction by an angle between zero and forty-five degrees.
  • the occultation screen 30 pivots here between a first angular position, which is represented on the figure 2 , in which the projector 10 carries the rain beam Fp, and a second angular position in which the projector 10 makes the passing beam Fc.
  • the occultation screen 30 is made of transparent material.
  • the occultation screen 30 is generally in the form of a curved transparent blade comprising a generator, along the axis of pivoting A2, in the shape of an arc of a circle, so that the curvature of the screen 30 generally follows the field curvature of the lens 18.
  • the occultation screen 30 comprises an occulting lower portion 36 and an upper portion 38 which passes light rays emitted by the source 12.
  • the occulting lower portion 36 is made here by depositing an opaque material, for example aluminum, on at least one face 40, 42 that is generally transverse to the screen 30.
  • an opaque material for example aluminum
  • the opaque material is deposited on the two generally transverse faces 40, 42 of the screen 30.
  • rear transverse face 40 and front transverse face 42 of occultation screen 30 denote the respectively convex and concave faces of occultation screen 30, although these faces 40, 42 are not really transverse to the optical axis A1.
  • the upper edge 44 of the occulting portion 36 draws the two cutoff profiles 32, 34 of the illumination beams Fp, Fc associated with the screen 30.
  • a portion of the occulting portion 36 extends here below the height of the upper edge of the cutout 29 of the mask 20, so that no light ray can reach the lens 18 by passing between the upper edge of the cutout 29 and the lower edge of the occulting portion 36.
  • the upper portion 38 of the occultation screen 30 extends generally vertically to the top of the useful focal zone, with respect to the lens 18, so that all the light rays used to construct the illumination beam projected by the lens 18 pass through the transparent upper portion 38.
  • the occultation screen 30 can be geometrically divided into two angular sectors 46, 48, relative to the pivot axis A2, which are substantially of the same circumferential dimension.
  • a first angular sector 46 has the cutoff profile 32 corresponding to the rain beam Fp and a second angular sector 48 has the cutoff profile 34 corresponding to the dipped beam Fc.
  • the cutoff profile 32 of the first angular sector 46 is substantially centered on the optical axis A1.
  • the first angular position corresponds to a so-called active position of the first angular sector 46 and to a so-called retracted position of the second angular sector 48, the projector 10 producing the rain beam Fp.
  • the first angular sector 46 comprises a zone of lesser transparency 50 intended to form the zone of less illumination Z in the rain beam Fp.
  • the zone of least transparency 50 is arranged on the front face 42 of the first angular sector 46, above the first cutoff profile 32.
  • the zone of lesser transparency 50 comprises a deposition of opaque material, for example of the same nature as that which forms the occulting lower portion 36, of a specific density so as to pass a portion of the light rays which reach the zone of light. less transparency 50.
  • the density of opaque material in the area of lesser transparency 50 must therefore be less than the density of opaque material arranged in the occulting portion 36.
  • the zone of lesser transparency 50 creates in the rain beam Fp a zone Z1 having illumination of intensity less than the illumination of the adjacent zones, without producing a shadow zone extending up to the cutoff.
  • the second angular sector 48 of the occultation screen 30 has a cut-off profile 34 corresponding to a passing beam Fc. Unlike the first angular sector 46, it is therefore devoid of a zone of less transparency.
  • the cutoff profile 34 of the second angular sector 48 is substantially centered on the optical axis A1.
  • the second angular position corresponds to a so-called active position of the second angular sector 48 and to a so-called retracted position of the first angular sector 46, the projector 10 producing the passing beam Fc.
  • the occulting screen 30 is here provided, at its lower end 52, with a fixing plate 54 which extends in a radial plane, relative to the pivot axis A2, and which is fixed on the end free upper 56 of the drive shaft 58 of an electric motor 60.
  • the drive shaft 58 here constitutes the pivot axis A2 of the occulting screen 30.
  • the fixing plate 56 is made in one piece with the occulting screen 30.
  • the projector 10 By controlling the pivoting of the occultation screen 30 towards one of its two determined angular positions, the projector 10 thus realizes either a rain beam Fp, or a passing beam Fc.
  • the arrangement of the zone of least transparency 50 on the front face 42 of the screen 30 makes it possible to shift the zone of lesser transparency 50 forward of the thickness of the screen 30 relative to the focal plane of the screen 30.
  • the lens 18 which is in the vicinity of the rear face 40 of the screen 30, so that the area of lesser transparency 50 is defocused and creates a zone of lesser illumination Z1 blurred outline. This makes it possible to obtain a relatively progressive transition of the illumination intensity between the zone of less illumination and the adjacent zone of the beam Fp in which the intensity of illumination is greater.
  • the zone of least transparency 50 according to the invention makes it possible to precisely and easily control the photometric characteristics of the rain beam Fp.
  • the quantity of light that is emitted towards the zone of lower illumination Z1 for example by choosing the density and / or the thickness of opaque material deposited in the zone of least transparency 50, and / or by drawing in the zone of least transparency 50 patterns of opaque material that partially let the light.
  • each face 40, 42 of the occulting screen 30 It is not essential to deposit the opaque material on each face 40, 42 of the occulting screen 30 to make the lower occulting portion.
  • the deposition of opaque material on both faces 40, 42 reduces the cutoff chromatism, that is to say the presence of a colored light in the vicinity of the cut in the lighting beam Fp, Fc which is due to the axial shift of the focal plane of the lens 18 according to the wavelength of the light rays considered.
  • the zone of lesser transparency 50 can also be achieved by the deposition of opaque material on the two faces 40, 42 of the occultation screen, in order to limit the chromatic effects, especially on the periphery of the zone of less transparency 50.
  • the layer of opaque material may be constituted by a metal deposit, for example based on aluminum, or by ink.
  • the zone of lesser transparency 50 may be constituted by a substantially uniform deposit, or by a pattern of small points or patterns.
  • the zone of lesser transparency 50 can be achieved by a treatment of the surface of the transparent material constituting the occultation screen 30, for example by frosting, or by making bumps or hollow.
  • Surface treatment can to optimize the photometry of the rain beam Fp by deflecting the light rays received by the zone of lesser transparency 50 to a zone of the rain beam Fp requiring more light intensity.
  • the invention applies to other types of occultation screens (not shown), in particular to an occultation screen tilting about a substantially transverse axis, such as those described in document FR-A-2831497 , or to a disk-like shading screen transverse to the optical axis A1 and pivotally mounted about a longitudinal axis.
  • the occultation screen may be limited in height at the height of the cut edges 32, 34.
  • it comprises a transparent portion in the form of a tooth or vertical transverse tab, which extends upwards from the cutoff edge 32 corresponding to the rain beam Fp.
  • the free end of this transparent portion then comprises the deposition of opaque material forming the zone of lesser transparency 50.
  • the tooth-shaped transparent portion may be made of semi-transparent ceramic.
  • an occultation screen 30 which comprises a transparent upper portion traversed by all the light rays forming the illumination beam, is to avoid the presence of parasitic images of the edges of the transparent portion.
  • the occulting screen 30 may be made of tempered glass, or a special glass mixture that may be suitable for the operating constraints of the projector 10, especially with regard to vibration and temperature.
  • the occultation screen 30 may also be made of "porous glass", that is to say a type of glass obtained from a silica gel and having interstices to reduce its density.
  • a type of material 30 makes it possible in particular to minimize the mass of the occultation screen 30, thus reducing its inertia, and it makes it possible to reduce the losses of light by glassy reflection, because of the low refractive index of this material.
  • the inclination of the pivot axis A2 with respect to a vertical position makes it possible to limit the size of the concealment screen 30 in the projector 10. Moreover, thanks to this inclination, the angular sector 46, 48 which occupies its retracted position is lower than the angular sector 46, 48 which occupies its active position, so that the angular sector 46, 48 retracted is under the path of the light rays forming the illumination beam Fp, Fc.
  • the invention has been described with an occultation screen 30 comprising two cut-off profiles 32, 34.
  • the invention also applies to a projector 10 equipped with an occultation screen 30 comprising a single profile of cutoff, or more than two cutoff profiles.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Non-Portable Lighting Devices Or Systems Thereof (AREA)
  • Glass Compositions (AREA)
  • Overhead Projectors And Projection Screens (AREA)

Abstract

The projector has an occultation screen (30) including a transversal portion (38) which is made of a transparent material e.g. glass, and is traversed by a light beam. The portion (38) has a low transparency zone (50) which forms a low illumination zone in the light beam for adverse weather lighting. An opaque material is deposited on transversal sides (40, 42) of the portion (38) and has selected density and thickness.

Description

La présente invention concerne un projecteur du type elliptique pour véhicule automobile.The present invention relates to a projector of the elliptical type for a motor vehicle.

La présente invention concerne plus particulièrement un projecteur pour véhicule automobile, comprenant une source lumineuse, un réflecteur du type elliptique dont un premier foyer est situé au voisinage de la source, une lentille convergente dont un plan focal passe au voisinage d'un second foyer du réflecteur, et un écran d'occultation qui est intercalé axialement, suivant l'axe optique longitudinal du projecteur, entre le réflecteur et la lentille, et qui délimite un profil de coupure dans le faisceau lumineux émis par la source en vue de réaliser un faisceau réglementaire d'éclairage par temps pluvieux comportant une zone de moindre éclairement qui est située au-dessous de la coupure.The present invention more particularly relates to a motor vehicle headlamp, comprising a light source, an elliptical reflector whose first focus is located in the vicinity of the source, a convergent lens having a focal plane passes in the vicinity of a second focus of the reflector, and an occultation screen which is interposed axially, along the longitudinal optical axis of the projector, between the reflector and the lens, and which delimits a cutoff profile in the light beam emitted by the source to produce a beam Rainy day lighting regulation with an area of less illumination below the cut-off.

Dans un projecteur elliptique, dit aussi projecteur à optique de reproduction d'images, l'écran d'occultation constitue un diaphragme dont un bord forme le profil de coupure qui est reproduit vers l'infini, à l'avant du véhicule, par l'objectif formé ici par la lentille, pour former un faisceau d'éclairage comportant une coupure dont la forme correspond au profil de coupure.In an elliptical projector, also known as an image reproduction optical projector, the blackout screen constitutes a diaphragm whose edge forms the cutoff profile which is reproduced towards infinity, at the front of the vehicle, by the objective formed here by the lens, to form a lighting beam having a cut whose shape corresponds to the cutoff profile.

Le diaphragme reproduit par l'objectif permet d'obtenir une limite obscurité/clarté dont la forme est parfaitement définie en fonction des besoins, avec une grande netteté ou un flou voulu.The diaphragm reproduced by the lens makes it possible to obtain a darkness / clarity limit whose shape is perfectly defined according to the needs, with a sharpness or a desired blur.

L'évolution récente de la réglementation a nécessité l'apport de perfectionnements aux projecteurs elliptiques classiques de manière qu'ils puissent réaliser des faisceaux d'éclairage spécifiques adaptés aux conditions de circulation, tels qu'un faisceau d'éclairage réglementaire pour la circulation par temps pluvieux dit "Adverse Weather Lighting" (AWL), un faisceau d'éclairage réglementaire pour la circulation en milieu urbain, un faisceau d'éclairage réglementaire pour la circulation sur autoroute, etc.Recent regulatory developments have necessitated enhancements to conventional elliptical floodlights so that they can provide specific lighting beams that are adapted to traffic conditions, such as a regulatory light beam for vehicular traffic. Rainy weather called "Adverse Weather Lighting" (AWL), a regulatory lighting beam for urban traffic, a regulatory lighting beam for highway traffic, etc.

Le faisceau réglementaire d'éclairage par temps pluvieux présente la particularité de comporter un profil de coupure identique à celui d'un faisceau réglementaire de croisement et de comporter une zone de moindre éclairement qui est située au-dessous de la coupure, à l'intérieur du faisceau d'éclairage.The regulatory beam for rainy weather lighting has the particularity of having a cut-off profile identical to that of a regulatory crossing beam and of having a zone of lower illumination which is situated below the cut-off, inside. of the lighting beam.

En effet, pour ce type de faisceau, la réglementation impose un affaiblissement de l'éclairement au-dessous du profil de coupure et à gauche de l'axe longitudinal du véhicule, dans le cas d'une circulation à droite de la chaussée.Indeed, for this type of beam, the regulation imposes a weakening of the illumination below the cutoff profile and to the left of the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, in the case of a traffic on the right of the roadway.

La zone de moindre éclairement vise à éviter que les conducteurs circulant sur la voie opposée soient éblouis par la réflexion des rayons lumineux sur la partie gauche de la chaussée située entre les deux véhicules circulant en sens inverses, en raison de l'état mouillé de la chaussée.The zone of less illumination is intended to prevent drivers traveling on the opposite lane from being dazzled by the reflection of the light rays on the left side of the roadway between the two vehicles traveling in opposite directions, due to the wet condition of the vehicle. floor.

Des projecteurs elliptiques ont déjà été proposés pour réaliser un tel faisceau d'éclairage réglementaire par temps pluvieux.Elliptical floodlights have already been proposed to achieve such a regulatory lighting beam in rainy weather.

Dans le document FR-A-2.831.497 , il a été proposé d'agencer une languette transversale en avant du plan focal de la lentille, de manière qu'elle soit défocalisée par rapport à la lentille, et qu'elle forme dans le faisceau d'éclairage une zone de moindre éclairement avec un contour relativement flou.In the document FR-A-2831497 it has been proposed to arrange a transverse tongue forward of the focal plane of the lens, so that it is defocused with respect to the lens, and that it forms in the illumination beam a zone of less illumination with a relatively vague outline.

Cette solution n'est pas entièrement satisfaisante car la languette masque complètement une partie des rayons lumineux, de sorte que la zone de moindre éclairement a l'apparence d'une tâche sombre dans le faisceau d'éclairage. Cette tâche sombre peut être perçue de manière négative par le conducteur du véhicule que le projecteur équipe.This solution is not entirely satisfactory because the tab completely masks a portion of the light rays, so that the area of less illumination has the appearance of a dark spot in the lighting beam. This dark task can be perceived negatively by the driver of the vehicle that the projector equips.

De plus, il est difficile de maîtriser l'influence de la languette sur les rayons lumineux formant le faisceau d'éclairage, ce qui peut produire des anomalies dans la répartition lumineuse du faisceau.In addition, it is difficult to control the influence of the tongue on the light rays forming the light beam, which can produce anomalies in the light distribution of the beam.

D'autre part, le projecteur elliptique est généralement prévu pour réaliser plusieurs faisceaux d'éclairage réglementaire, notamment un faisceau de croisement classique, puisque le faisceau d'éclairage par temps pluvieux ne correspond qu'à une situation particulière de circulation.On the other hand, the elliptical projector is generally intended to produce several regulatory lighting beams, in particular a conventional passing beam, since the lighting beam in rainy weather only corresponds to a particular traffic situation.

A cet effet, le projecteur elliptique est pourvu d'au moins un écran d'occultation mobile à plusieurs positions correspondant à plusieurs faisceaux d'éclairage réglementaires, dont le faisceau d'éclairage par temps pluvieux.For this purpose, the elliptical headlamp is provided with at least one movable occultation screen at several positions corresponding to several regulatory lighting beams, including the lighting beam in rainy weather.

Dans le document FR-A-2.831.497 , il est prévu un écran d'occultation basculant autour d'un axe transversal horizontal entre une position d'occultation et une position escamotée. Cet écran comporte un profil de coupure correspondant à un faisceau réglementaire de croisement ainsi qu'une languette transversale qui est prévue pour former la zone de moindre éclairement correspondant au faisceau d'éclairage par temps pluvieux. L'écran d'occultation est mobile entre une position active dans laquelle l'écran occulte une partie des rayons lumineux émis par la source de manière que le projecteur réalise un faisceau réglementaire d'éclairage par temps pluvieux, et une position escamotée dans laquelle le projecteur réalise un autre faisceau réglementaire d'éclairage.In the document FR-A-2831497 , there is provided an occultation screen tilting about a horizontal transverse axis between a concealment position and a retracted position. This screen has a cutoff profile corresponding to a regulatory crossing beam and a transverse tab which is intended to form the area of lower illumination corresponding to the lighting beam in rainy weather. The occultation screen is movable between an active position in which the screen obscures part of the light rays emitted by the source so that the projector realizes a regulation light beam in rainy weather, and a retracted position in which the projector achieves another regulatory lighting beam.

La languette est fixée sur la face avant de l'écran et elle s'étend verticalement vers le haut. Par conséquent, elle forme, dans le faisceau d'éclairage, une zone de moindre éclairement qui s'étend jusqu'à la coupure.The tab is attached to the front of the screen and extends vertically upward. Therefore, it forms, in the lighting beam, a zone of less illumination that extends to the cut.

Le faisceau d'éclairage obtenu n'est pas entièrement satisfaisant car la languette détériore la qualité du faisceau d'éclairage à proximité de la coupure.The lighting beam obtained is not entirely satisfactory because the tongue deteriorates the quality of the lighting beam near the cut.

Un autre inconvénient de la languette défocalisée est qu'elle crée un balourd sur l'écran mobile. La présence de ce balourd est particulièrement gênante dans un projecteur comportant un tambour monté à rotation autour d'un axe incliné dans le plan longitudinal, tel que le tambour de forme conique qui est décrit dans le document FR-A-2.815.310 .Another disadvantage of the defocused tab is that it creates an imbalance on the mobile screen. The presence of this unbalance is particularly troublesome in a projector comprising a drum mounted to rotate about an axis inclined in the longitudinal plane, such as the conical drum which is described in the document FR-A-2815310 .

En effet, l'effet de balourd produit par la languette défocalisée sur la pièce pivotante peut être une source de vibrations dans le projecteur et il peut provoquer une usure prématurée du moteur qui entraîne le tambour.Indeed, the unbalance effect produced by the defocused tab on the pivoting part can be a source of vibration in the projector and it can cause premature wear of the motor that drives the drum.

Par conséquent, cette solution n'est pas complètement satisfaisante et peut entraîner des problèmes de fiabilité du projecteur.Therefore, this solution is not completely satisfactory and may cause projector reliability problems.

De plus, la présence de la languette défocalisée peut poser des problèmes d'encombrement à l'intérieur du projecteur, et notamment des interférences mécaniques, en fonction des différentes positions angulaires occupées par l'écran d'occultation.In addition, the presence of the defocused tab may cause congestion problems inside the projector, including mechanical interference, depending on the different angular positions occupied by the blackout screen.

L'invention vise à remédier à ces inconvénients en proposant une solution simple, efficace et économique.The invention aims to remedy these drawbacks by proposing a simple, effective and economical solution.

Dans ce but, l'invention propose un projecteur du type décrit précédemment, caractérisé en ce que l'écran d'occultation comporte au moins une portion globalement transversale qui est réalisée en matériau transparent et qui s'étend au-dessus du profil de coupure, en ce que cette portion transparente de l'écran d'occultation comporte une zone de moindre transparence qui forme la zone de moindre éclairement dans le faisceau réglementaire d'éclairage.For this purpose, the invention proposes a projector of the type described above, characterized in that the occultation screen comprises at least a generally transverse portion which is made of transparent material and which extends above the cutoff profile , in that this transparent portion of the occultation screen comprises a zone of lesser transparency which forms the zone of less illumination in the regulatory lighting beam.

Selon d'autres caractéristiques de l'invention :

  • la zone de moindre transparence comporte un dépôt de matériau opaque sur au moins une face transversale de la portion transparente ;
  • la zone de moindre transparence comporte un traitement de surface localisé appliqué sur au moins une face transversale de la portion transparente ;
  • l'écran d'occultation est réalisé entièrement en matériau transparent et comporte une partie occultante principale formée par le dépôt d'une couche de matériau opaque sur au moins l'une de ses faces transversales ;
  • la portion occultante principale comporte une couche de matériau opaque sur les deux faces transversales de l'écran d'occultation ;
  • la portion transparente s'étend globalement en largeur sur toute la longueur de la coupure et s'étend globalement en hauteur jusqu'à la limite supérieure de la zone focale utile, de sorte que la majorité du faisceau lumineux non occulté traverse nécessairement la portion transparente ;
  • le projecteur comporte un écran d'occultation fixe dit masque qui coopère avec l'écran mobile en position active de manière à former le faisceau d'éclairage réglementaire d'éclairage par temps pluvieux ;
  • l'écran d'occultation est monté à pivotement autour d'un axe contenu globalement dans un plan longitudinal, et l'axe de pivotement s'étend suivant une direction inclinée par rapport à la verticale d'un angle compris globalement entre zéro et quarante cinq degrés ;
  • l'écran d'occultation comporte plusieurs profils de coupure sensiblement adjacents qui correspondent respectivement à plusieurs faisceaux réglementaires d'éclairage ;
  • l'écran d'occultation est réalisé d'une seule pièce en matériau transparent et il a globalement la forme d'un secteur angulaire de tube centré sur l'axe de pivotement;
  • le matériau transparent est du verre.
According to other features of the invention:
  • the zone of lesser transparency comprises a deposition of opaque material on at least one transverse face of the transparent portion;
  • the zone of lesser transparency comprises a localized surface treatment applied to at least one transverse face of the transparent portion;
  • the occultation screen is made entirely of transparent material and comprises a main occulting part formed by the deposition of a layer of opaque material on at least one of its transverse faces;
  • the main occulting portion comprises a layer of opaque material on both transverse faces of the occultation screen;
  • the transparent portion extends generally in width over the entire length of the cut and extends generally in height to the upper limit of the useful focal zone, so that the majority of the unobstructed light beam necessarily passes through the transparent portion ;
  • the projector comprises a fixed blanking screen said mask which cooperates with the mobile screen in the active position so as to form the lighting regulatory lighting beam in rainy weather;
  • the occultation screen is pivotally mounted about an axis contained generally in a longitudinal plane, and the pivot axis extends in a direction inclined relative to the vertical of an angle generally between zero and forty five degrees;
  • the occultation screen has several substantially adjacent cutoff profiles corresponding respectively to several lighting regulatory beams;
  • the occultation screen is made of a single piece of transparent material and generally has the shape of an angular sector of tube centered on the pivot axis;
  • the transparent material is glass.

D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de l'invention apparaîtront à la lecture de la description détaillée qui suit pour la compréhension de laquelle on se reportera aux dessins annexés parmi lesquels :

  • la figure 1 est une vue suivant le plan de coupe 1-1 qui représente schématiquement un projecteur elliptique équipé d'un écran d'occultation conforme aux enseignements de l'invention ;
  • la figure 2 est une vue partiellement suivant le plan de coupe 2-2 qui représente schématiquement le projecteur de la figure 1 lorsque l'écran d'occultation occupe une première position angulaire ;
  • la figure 3 est une vue de face qui représente schématiquement l'écran d'occultation de la figure 1 ;
  • la figure 4 est un schéma qui illustre un faisceau réglementaire d'éclairage par temps pluvieux produit par le projecteur de la figure 1.
Other features and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended drawings in which:
  • the figure 1 is a view along the sectional plane 1-1 which schematically shows an elliptical projector equipped with an occultation screen according to the teachings of the invention;
  • the figure 2 is a view partly in section plane 2-2 which schematically represents the projector of the figure 1 when the occultation screen occupies a first angular position;
  • the figure 3 is a front view that schematically represents the screen occultation of the figure 1 ;
  • the figure 4 is a diagram that illustrates a regulation beam of rainy weather lighting produced by the projector of the figure 1 .

Pour la description de l'invention, on adoptera à titre non limitatif les orientations verticale, longitudinale et transversale selon le repère V, L, T indiqué aux figures.For the description of the invention, the vertical, longitudinal and transverse orientations according to the reference V, L, T indicated in the figures will be adopted without limitation.

Dans la description qui va suivre, des éléments identiques, similaires ou analogues seront désignés par les mêmes chiffres de référence.In the following description, identical, similar or similar elements will be designated by the same reference numerals.

Sur les figures 1 et 2, on a représenté un projecteur 10 pour véhicule automobile qui est réalisé conformément aux enseignements de l'invention.On the Figures 1 and 2 , there is shown a projector 10 for a motor vehicle that is made according to the teachings of the invention.

De manière classique, le projecteur 10 comporte une source lumineuse 12 et un réflecteur 14 du type elliptique.In a conventional manner, the projector 10 comprises a light source 12 and a reflector 14 of the elliptical type.

La source lumineuse 12 est agencée globalement au premier foyer du réflecteur elliptique 14.The light source 12 is arranged globally at the first focus of the elliptical reflector 14.

On définit à titre non limitatif un axe optique longitudinal A1 qui est orienté de l'arrière vers l'avant, suivant la direction d'éclairage du projecteur 10, ce qui correspond à une orientation de la gauche vers la droite en considérant la figure 1.A longitudinal optical axis A1 which is oriented from the rear towards the front, in the direction of illumination of the projector 10 is defined in a nonlimiting manner, which corresponds to an orientation of the left towards the right by considering the figure 1 .

Le projecteur 10 comporte à l'avant un porte-lentille 16 qui est fixé sur le bord périphérique d'extrémité axiale avant 15 du réflecteur 14.The projector 10 comprises at the front a lens holder 16 which is fixed on the peripheral front axial end edge 15 of the reflector 14.

Une lentille convergente 18 est montée dans l'ouverture aménagée à l'extrémité axiale avant du porte-lentille 16.A convergent lens 18 is mounted in the opening formed at the forward axial end of the lens holder 16.

La lentille 18 est représentée partiellement sur les figures.The lens 18 is partially shown in the figures.

Le plan focal de la lentille 18 est situé globalement au voisinage d'un second foyer du réflecteur 14.The focal plane of the lens 18 is located generally in the vicinity of a second focus of the reflector 14.

Le réflecteur 14 et le porte-lentille 16 constituent ici un bâti du projecteur 10.The reflector 14 and the lens holder 16 here constitute a frame of the projector 10.

Bien entendu, le projecteur 10 peut en outre comprendre un boîtier (non représenté) refermant le bâti et être protégé par une glace de protection (non représentée).Of course, the projector 10 may further comprise a housing (not shown) closing the frame and be protected by a protective glass (not shown).

Le projecteur 10 comporte un écran fixe, qui sera appelé masque 20, en forme de plaque cintrée.The projector 10 comprises a fixed screen, which will be called mask 20, shaped curved plate.

Le masque 20 est fixé rigidement au bâti, ici au moyen de deux pattes de fixation transversales 22, 24. Chaque patte de fixation 22, 24 est ici serrée axialement entre une portion du bord périphérique avant 15 du réflecteur 14 et une portion du bord périphérique 26 en vis-à-vis du porte-lentille 16.The mask 20 is fixed rigidly to the frame, here by means of two transverse fixing lugs 22, 24. Each fixing lug 22, 24 is in this case clamped axially between a portion of the front peripheral edge 15 of the reflector 14 and a portion of the peripheral edge. 26 vis-à-vis the lens holder 16.

Le masque 20 admet une génératrice verticale en forme d'arc de cercle, dont le centre de courbure est agencé sur l'axe optique A1 à l'avant du projecteur 10. Le profil en courbe du masque 20, en section axiale horizontale, suit globalement la courbure de champ de la lentille 18, et le masque 20 s'étend au voisinage du plan focal de la lentille 18.The mask 20 has a vertical generatrix in the form of a circular arc, whose center of curvature is arranged on the optical axis A1 at the front of the projector 10. The curve profile of the mask 20, in horizontal axial section, follows globally the field curvature of the lens 18, and the mask 20 extends in the vicinity of the focal plane of the lens 18.

Le masque 20 s'étend de préférence sur toute la largeur transversale du réflecteur 14, et il s'étend verticalement principalement dans la moitié inférieure du réflecteur 14.The mask 20 preferably extends over the entire transverse width of the reflector 14, and it extends vertically mainly in the lower half of the reflector 14.

Le bord supérieur 28 du masque 20 comporte une découpe 29 centrée sur l'axe optique A1 dont la largeur transversale correspond globalement à la largeur transversale de la zone focale utile pour la réalisation des faisceaux d'éclairage.The upper edge 28 of the mask 20 has a cutout 29 centered on the optical axis A1 whose transverse width corresponds generally to the transverse width of the focal zone useful for the production of the illumination beams.

Le bord supérieur sensiblement horizontal de la découpe 29 du masque 20 s'étend à une distance verticale déterminée sous l'axe optique A1, de manière que le masque 20 occulte la majorité des rayons lumineux émis dans le réflecteur 14 sous l'axe optique A1, et qu'il laisse passer une partie de ces rayons lumineux entre le bord supérieur de la découpe 29 et l'axe optique A1.The substantially horizontal upper edge of the cutout 29 of the mask 20 extends at a determined vertical distance below the optical axis A1, so that the mask 20 obscures the majority of the light rays emitted in the reflector 14 under the optical axis A1 , and that passes a portion of these light rays between the upper edge of the cutout 29 and the optical axis A1.

De manière classique, le projecteur 10 comporte un écran d'occultation 30 qui est intercalé axialement, suivant l'axe optique longitudinal A1, entre le réflecteur 14 et la lentille 18, et qui délimite au moins un profil de coupure 32, 34 dans le faisceau lumineux émis par la source 12 en vue de réaliser un faisceau réglementaire d'éclairage par temps pluvieux dit faisceau de pluie Fp.In a conventional manner, the projector 10 comprises an occultation screen 30 which is interposed axially, along the longitudinal optical axis A1, between the reflector 14 and the lens 18, and which delimits at least one cutoff profile 32, 34 in the beam light emitted by the source 12 in order to achieve a regulatory beam of lighting in rainy weather said rain beam Fp.

L'écran d'occultation 30 est agencé à l'avant du masque 20, de manière qu'il s'étende au moins en partie dans le plan focal de la lentille 18.The occulting screen 30 is arranged in front of the mask 20, so that it extends at least partly in the focal plane of the lens 18.

L'écran d'occultation 30 et le masque 20 sont prévus pour coopérer ensemble de manière à former le faisceau de pluie Fp. A cet effet, l'écran d'occultation 30 est prévu pour occulter sélectivement une partie des rayons lumineux émis au-dessus du bord supérieur de la découpe 29 du masque 20.The occultation screen 30 and the mask 20 are provided to cooperate together so as to form the rain beam Fp. For this purpose, the occulting screen 30 is provided to selectively obscure a portion of the light rays emitted above the upper edge of the cutout 29 of the mask 20.

Selon le mode de réalisation représenté ici, l'écran d'occultation 30 comporte deux profils de coupure 32, 34 adjacents qui correspondent respectivement à deux faisceaux réglementaire d'éclairage, ici un faisceau de pluie Fp et un faisceau de feux de croisement dit faisceau de croisement Fc.According to the embodiment represented here, the concealment screen 30 comprises two adjacent cutoff profiles 32, 34 corresponding respectively to two regulatory lighting beams, here a rain beam Fp and a beam of low beams said beam crossing Fc.

De plus, l'écran d'occultation 30 est monté à pivotement autour d'un axe A2 contenu globalement dans un plan longitudinal vertical, et légèrement incliné par rapport à la direction verticale d'un angle compris entre zéro et quarante-cinq degrés.In addition, the occulting screen 30 is pivotally mounted about an axis A2 contained generally in a vertical longitudinal plane, and slightly inclined relative to the vertical direction by an angle between zero and forty-five degrees.

L'écran d'occultation 30 pivote ici entre une première position angulaire, qui est représentée sur la figure 2, dans laquelle le projecteur 10 réalise le faisceau de pluie Fp, et une seconde position angulaire dans laquelle le projecteur 10 réalise le faisceau de croisement Fc.The occultation screen 30 pivots here between a first angular position, which is represented on the figure 2 , in which the projector 10 carries the rain beam Fp, and a second angular position in which the projector 10 makes the passing beam Fc.

Conformément aux enseignements de l'invention, l'écran d'occultation 30 est réalisé en matériau transparent.According to the teachings of the invention, the occultation screen 30 is made of transparent material.

L'écran d'occultation 30 a globalement la forme d'une lame transparente cintrée comportant une génératrice, suivant l'axe de pivotement A2, en forme d'arc de cercle, de sorte que la courbure de l'écran 30 suit globalement la courbure de champ de la lentille 18.The occultation screen 30 is generally in the form of a curved transparent blade comprising a generator, along the axis of pivoting A2, in the shape of an arc of a circle, so that the curvature of the screen 30 generally follows the field curvature of the lens 18.

L'écran d'occultation 30 comporte une portion inférieure occultante 36 et une portion supérieure 38 qui laisse passer les rayons lumineux émis par la source 12.The occultation screen 30 comprises an occulting lower portion 36 and an upper portion 38 which passes light rays emitted by the source 12.

La portion inférieure occultante 36 est réalisée ici par le dépôt d'un matériau opaque, par exemple de l'aluminium, sur au moins une face 40, 42 globalement transversale de l'écran 30.The occulting lower portion 36 is made here by depositing an opaque material, for example aluminum, on at least one face 40, 42 that is generally transverse to the screen 30.

De préférence, le matériau opaque est déposé sur les deux faces globalement transversales 40, 42 de l'écran 30.Preferably, the opaque material is deposited on the two generally transverse faces 40, 42 of the screen 30.

On désigne ici par face transversale arrière 40, et par face transversale avant 42 de l'écran d'occultation 30, les faces respectivement convexe et concave de l'écran d'occultation 30, bien que ces faces 40, 42 ne soient pas réellement transversales à l'axe optique A1.Here, rear transverse face 40 and front transverse face 42 of occultation screen 30 denote the respectively convex and concave faces of occultation screen 30, although these faces 40, 42 are not really transverse to the optical axis A1.

Le bord supérieur 44 de la portion occultante 36 dessine les deux profils de coupure 32, 34 des faisceaux d'éclairage Fp, Fc associés à l'écran 30.The upper edge 44 of the occulting portion 36 draws the two cutoff profiles 32, 34 of the illumination beams Fp, Fc associated with the screen 30.

Une partie de la portion occultante 36 s'étend ici sous la hauteur du bord supérieur de la découpe 29 du masque 20, de manière qu'aucun rayon lumineux ne puisse atteindre la lentille 18 en passant entre le bord supérieur de la découpe 29 et le bord inférieur de la portion occultante 36.A portion of the occulting portion 36 extends here below the height of the upper edge of the cutout 29 of the mask 20, so that no light ray can reach the lens 18 by passing between the upper edge of the cutout 29 and the lower edge of the occulting portion 36.

La portion supérieure 38 de l'écran d'occultation 30 s'étend globalement verticalement jusqu'au sommet de la zone focale utile, par rapport à la lentille 18, de manière que tous les rayons lumineux qui servent à construire le faisceau d'éclairage projeté par la lentille 18 traversent la portion supérieure transparente 38.The upper portion 38 of the occultation screen 30 extends generally vertically to the top of the useful focal zone, with respect to the lens 18, so that all the light rays used to construct the illumination beam projected by the lens 18 pass through the transparent upper portion 38.

En se référant notamment à la figure 3, on constate que l'écran d'occultation 30 peut être divisé géométriquement en deux secteurs angulaires 46, 48, relativement à l'axe de pivotement A2, qui sont sensiblement de même dimension circonférentielle.Referring in particular to the figure 3 it is found that the occultation screen 30 can be geometrically divided into two angular sectors 46, 48, relative to the pivot axis A2, which are substantially of the same circumferential dimension.

Un premier secteur angulaire 46 comporte le profil de coupure 32 correspondant au faisceau de pluie Fp et un second secteur angulaire 48 comporte le profil de coupure 34 correspondant au faisceau de croisement Fc.A first angular sector 46 has the cutoff profile 32 corresponding to the rain beam Fp and a second angular sector 48 has the cutoff profile 34 corresponding to the dipped beam Fc.

Dans la première position angulaire, qui est représentée sur la figure 2, le profil de coupure 32 du premier secteur angulaire 46 est sensiblement centré sur l'axe optique A1.In the first angular position, which is represented on the figure 2 , the cutoff profile 32 of the first angular sector 46 is substantially centered on the optical axis A1.

La première position angulaire correspond à une position dite active du premier secteur angulaire 46 et à une position dite escamotée du second secteur angulaire 48, le projecteur 10 réalisant le faisceau de pluie Fp.The first angular position corresponds to a so-called active position of the first angular sector 46 and to a so-called retracted position of the second angular sector 48, the projector 10 producing the rain beam Fp.

Conformément aux enseignements de l'invention, pour pouvoir produire un faisceau de pluie Fp, lorsque l'écran d'occultation 30 occupe sa première position angulaire, le premier secteur angulaire 46 comporte une zone de moindre transparence 50 prévue pour former la zone de moindre éclairement Z dans le faisceau de pluie Fp.According to the teachings of the invention, in order to be able to produce a rain beam Fp, when the occulting screen 30 occupies its first angular position, the first angular sector 46 comprises a zone of lesser transparency 50 intended to form the zone of less illumination Z in the rain beam Fp.

De préférence, la zone de moindre transparence 50 est agencée sur la face avant 42 du premier secteur angulaire 46, au-dessus du premier profil de coupure 32.Preferably, the zone of least transparency 50 is arranged on the front face 42 of the first angular sector 46, above the first cutoff profile 32.

Avantageusement, la zone de moindre transparence 50 comporte un dépôt de matériau opaque, par exemple de même nature que celui qui forme la portion inférieure occultante 36, d'une densité déterminée de manière à laisser passer une partie des rayons lumineux qui atteignent la zone de moindre transparence 50. La densité de matériau opaque présente dans la zone de moindre transparence 50 doit donc être inférieure à la densité de matériau opaque agencée dans la portion occultante 36.Advantageously, the zone of lesser transparency 50 comprises a deposition of opaque material, for example of the same nature as that which forms the occulting lower portion 36, of a specific density so as to pass a portion of the light rays which reach the zone of light. less transparency 50. The density of opaque material in the area of lesser transparency 50 must therefore be less than the density of opaque material arranged in the occulting portion 36.

Ainsi, comme l'illustre la figure 4, la zone de moindre transparence 50 crée dans le faisceau de pluie Fp une zone Z1 comportant un éclairement d'intensité inférieure à l'éclairement des zones adjacentes, sans produire une zone d'ombre s'étendant jusqu'à la coupure.Thus, as illustrated by figure 4 , the zone of lesser transparency 50 creates in the rain beam Fp a zone Z1 having illumination of intensity less than the illumination of the adjacent zones, without producing a shadow zone extending up to the cutoff.

Le second secteur angulaire 48 de l'écran d'occultation 30 comporte un profil de coupure 34 correspondant à un faisceau de croisement Fc. Contrairement au premier secteur angulaire 46, elle est donc dépourvue d'une zone de moindre transparence.The second angular sector 48 of the occultation screen 30 has a cut-off profile 34 corresponding to a passing beam Fc. Unlike the first angular sector 46, it is therefore devoid of a zone of less transparency.

Dans la seconde position angulaire, le profil de coupure 34 du second secteur angulaire 48 est sensiblement centré sur l'axe optique A1.In the second angular position, the cutoff profile 34 of the second angular sector 48 is substantially centered on the optical axis A1.

La seconde position angulaire correspond à une position dite active du second secteur angulaire 48 et à une position dite escamotée du premier secteur angulaire 46, le projecteur 10 réalisant le faisceau de croisement Fc.The second angular position corresponds to a so-called active position of the second angular sector 48 and to a so-called retracted position of the first angular sector 46, the projector 10 producing the passing beam Fc.

L'écran d'occultation 30 est ici pourvu, à son extrémité inférieure 52, d'une plaque de fixation 54 qui s'étend dans un plan radial, par rapport à l'axe pivotement A2, et qui est fixée sur l'extrémité libre supérieure 56 de l'arbre d'entraînement 58 d'un moteur électrique 60.The occulting screen 30 is here provided, at its lower end 52, with a fixing plate 54 which extends in a radial plane, relative to the pivot axis A2, and which is fixed on the end free upper 56 of the drive shaft 58 of an electric motor 60.

L'arbre d'entraînement 58 constitue ici l'axe de pivotement A2 de l'écran d'occultation 30.The drive shaft 58 here constitutes the pivot axis A2 of the occulting screen 30.

De préférence, la plaque de fixation 56 est réalisée d'une seule pièce avec l'écran d'occultation 30.Preferably, the fixing plate 56 is made in one piece with the occulting screen 30.

En commandant le pivotement de l'écran d'occultation 30 vers l'une de ses deux positions angulaires déterminées, le projecteur 10 réalise donc soit un faisceau de pluie Fp, soit un faisceau de croisement Fc.By controlling the pivoting of the occultation screen 30 towards one of its two determined angular positions, the projector 10 thus realizes either a rain beam Fp, or a passing beam Fc.

L'agencement de la zone de moindre transparence 50 sur la face avant 42 de l'écran 30 permet de décaler la zone de moindre transparence 50 vers l'avant, de l'épaisseur de l'écran 30, par rapport au plan focal de la lentille 18 qui se situe au voisinage de la face arrière 40 de l'écran 30, de sorte que la zone de moindre transparence 50 est défocalisée et qu'elle crée une zone de moindre éclairement Z1 de contour flou. Ceci permet d'obtenir une transition relativement progressive de l'intensité d'éclairement entre la zone de moindre éclairement et la zone adjacente du faisceau Fp dans laquelle l'intensité d'éclairement est supérieure.The arrangement of the zone of least transparency 50 on the front face 42 of the screen 30 makes it possible to shift the zone of lesser transparency 50 forward of the thickness of the screen 30 relative to the focal plane of the screen 30. the lens 18 which is in the vicinity of the rear face 40 of the screen 30, so that the area of lesser transparency 50 is defocused and creates a zone of lesser illumination Z1 blurred outline. This makes it possible to obtain a relatively progressive transition of the illumination intensity between the zone of less illumination and the adjacent zone of the beam Fp in which the intensity of illumination is greater.

La zone de moindre transparence 50 selon l'invention permet de contrôler précisément et facilement les caractéristiques photométriques du faisceau de pluie Fp.The zone of least transparency 50 according to the invention makes it possible to precisely and easily control the photometric characteristics of the rain beam Fp.

En effet, on peut contrôler la quantité de lumière qui est émise vers la zone de moindre éclairement Z1, par exemple en choisissant la densité et/ou l'épaisseur de matière opaque déposée dans la zone de moindre transparence 50, et/ou en dessinant dans la zone de moindre transparence 50 des motifs en matériau opaque qui laissent partiellement passer la lumière.Indeed, it is possible to control the quantity of light that is emitted towards the zone of lower illumination Z1, for example by choosing the density and / or the thickness of opaque material deposited in the zone of least transparency 50, and / or by drawing in the zone of least transparency 50 patterns of opaque material that partially let the light.

On peut aussi contrôler facilement la forme et la localisation de la zone de moindre éclairement Z1 dans le faisceau de pluie Fp qui dépend directement de la forme et de la localisation de la zone de moindre transparence 50.It is also easy to control the shape and location of the zone of low illumination Z1 in the rain beam Fp which depends directly on the shape and location of the zone of least transparency 50.

Il n'est pas indispensable de déposer la matière opaque sur chaque face 40, 42 de l'écran d'occultation 30 pour réaliser la portion inférieure occultante. Toutefois, le dépôt de matière opaque sur les deux faces 40, 42 permet de diminuer le chromatisme de coupure, c'est-à-dire la présence d'une lumière colorée au voisinage de la coupure dans le faisceau d'éclairage Fp, Fc, qui est due au décalage axial du plan focal de la lentille 18 suivant la longueur d'onde des rayons lumineux considérés.It is not essential to deposit the opaque material on each face 40, 42 of the occulting screen 30 to make the lower occulting portion. However, the deposition of opaque material on both faces 40, 42 reduces the cutoff chromatism, that is to say the presence of a colored light in the vicinity of the cut in the lighting beam Fp, Fc which is due to the axial shift of the focal plane of the lens 18 according to the wavelength of the light rays considered.

Bien entendu, la zone de moindre transparence 50 peut elle aussi être réalisée par le dépôt de matière opaque sur les deux faces 40, 42 de l'écran d'occultation, afin de limiter les effets chromatiques, notamment sur le pourtour de la zone de moindre transparence 50.Of course, the zone of lesser transparency 50 can also be achieved by the deposition of opaque material on the two faces 40, 42 of the occultation screen, in order to limit the chromatic effects, especially on the periphery of the zone of less transparency 50.

La couche de matériau opaque peut être constituée par un dépôt métallique, par exemple à base d'aluminium, ou par de l'encre.The layer of opaque material may be constituted by a metal deposit, for example based on aluminum, or by ink.

La zone de moindre transparence 50 peut être constituée par un dépôt sensiblement uniforme, ou bien par une trame de points ou de motifs de petites dimensions.The zone of lesser transparency 50 may be constituted by a substantially uniform deposit, or by a pattern of small points or patterns.

Selon une variante de réalisation (non représentée), la zone de moindre transparence 50 peut être réalisée par un traitement de la surface du matériau transparent constituant l'écran d'occultation 30, par exemple par dépolissage, ou par la réalisation de bosses ou de creux. Le traitement de surface peut permettre d'optimiser la photométrie du faisceau de pluie Fp en déviant les rayons lumineux reçus par la zone de moindre transparence 50 vers une zone du faisceau de pluie Fp nécessitant plus d'intensité lumineuse.According to an alternative embodiment (not shown), the zone of lesser transparency 50 can be achieved by a treatment of the surface of the transparent material constituting the occultation screen 30, for example by frosting, or by making bumps or hollow. Surface treatment can to optimize the photometry of the rain beam Fp by deflecting the light rays received by the zone of lesser transparency 50 to a zone of the rain beam Fp requiring more light intensity.

Bien entendu, l'invention s'applique à d'autres types d'écrans d'occultation (non représentés), notamment à un écran d'occultation basculant autour d'un axe sensiblement transversal, tel que ceux décrits dans le document FR-A-2.831.497 , ou encore à un écran d'occultation en forme de disque transversal à l'axe optique A1 et monté pivotant autour d'un axe longitudinal.Of course, the invention applies to other types of occultation screens (not shown), in particular to an occultation screen tilting about a substantially transverse axis, such as those described in document FR-A-2831497 , or to a disk-like shading screen transverse to the optical axis A1 and pivotally mounted about a longitudinal axis.

Selon une variante de réalisation (non représentée), l'écran d'occultation peut être limité en hauteur à la hauteur des bords de coupure 32, 34. Dans ce cas il comporte une portion transparente en forme de dent ou de languette transversale verticale, qui s'étend vers le haut à partir du bord de coupure 32 correspondant au faisceau de pluie Fp. L'extrémité libre de cette portion transparente comporte alors le dépôt de matière opaque formant la zone de moindre transparence 50.According to an alternative embodiment (not shown), the occultation screen may be limited in height at the height of the cut edges 32, 34. In this case it comprises a transparent portion in the form of a tooth or vertical transverse tab, which extends upwards from the cutoff edge 32 corresponding to the rain beam Fp. The free end of this transparent portion then comprises the deposition of opaque material forming the zone of lesser transparency 50.

Dans une telle variante, la portion transparente en forme de dent peut être réalisée en céramique semi-transparente.In such a variant, the tooth-shaped transparent portion may be made of semi-transparent ceramic.

L'avantage d'un écran d'occultation 30 qui comporte une portion supérieure transparente traversée par l'ensemble des rayons lumineux formant le faisceau d'éclairage, est d'éviter la présence d'images parasites des bords de la portion transparente.The advantage of an occultation screen 30 which comprises a transparent upper portion traversed by all the light rays forming the illumination beam, is to avoid the presence of parasitic images of the edges of the transparent portion.

L'écran d'occultation 30 peut être réalisé en verre trempé, ou dans un mélange spécial de verre susceptible de convenir aux contraintes de fonctionnement du projecteur 10, notamment en ce qui concerne les vibrations et la température.The occulting screen 30 may be made of tempered glass, or a special glass mixture that may be suitable for the operating constraints of the projector 10, especially with regard to vibration and temperature.

L'écran d'occultation 30 peut aussi être réalisé en "verre poreux", c'est-à-dire un type de verre obtenu à partir d'un gel de silice et comportant des interstices permettant de réduire sa masse volumique. Un tel type de matériau 30 permet notamment de minimiser la masse de l'écran d'occultation 30, donc de réduire son inertie, et il permet de réduire les pertes de lumière par réflexion vitreuse, en raison du faible indice de réfraction de ce matériau.The occultation screen 30 may also be made of "porous glass", that is to say a type of glass obtained from a silica gel and having interstices to reduce its density. Such a type of material 30 makes it possible in particular to minimize the mass of the occultation screen 30, thus reducing its inertia, and it makes it possible to reduce the losses of light by glassy reflection, because of the low refractive index of this material.

L'inclinaison de l'axe de pivotement A2, par rapport à une position verticale, permet de limiter l'encombrement de l'écran d'occultation 30 dans le projecteur 10. De plus, grâce à cette inclinaison, le secteur angulaire 46, 48 qui occupe sa position escamotée est plus bas que le secteur angulaire 46, 48 qui occupe sa position active, de sorte que le secteur angulaire 46, 48 escamoté se trouve sous le trajet des rayons lumineux formant le faisceau d'éclairage Fp, Fc.The inclination of the pivot axis A2 with respect to a vertical position makes it possible to limit the size of the concealment screen 30 in the projector 10. Moreover, thanks to this inclination, the angular sector 46, 48 which occupies its retracted position is lower than the angular sector 46, 48 which occupies its active position, so that the angular sector 46, 48 retracted is under the path of the light rays forming the illumination beam Fp, Fc.

L'invention a été décrite avec un écran d'occultation 30 comportant deux profils de coupure 32, 34. Bien entendu, l'invention s'applique aussi à un projecteur 10 équipé d'un écran d'occultation 30 comportant un seul profil de coupure, ou plus de deux profils de coupure.The invention has been described with an occultation screen 30 comprising two cut-off profiles 32, 34. Of course, the invention also applies to a projector 10 equipped with an occultation screen 30 comprising a single profile of cutoff, or more than two cutoff profiles.

Claims (11)

  1. Headlight (10) for a motor vehicle, comprising a source of light (12), a reflector (14) of the elliptical type, a first focal point of which is situated in the vicinity of the source (12), a convergent lens (18), a focal plane of which passes in the vicinity of a second focal point of the reflector (14), and an occulting screen (30) which is interposed axially according to the longitudinal optical axis (A1) of the headlight (10), between the reflector (14) and the lens (18), and which delimits a cut-off profile in the light beam emitted by the source (12), in order to provide a regulation lighting beam in rainy weather (Fp), comprising an area of reduced lighting (Z1) which is situated below the cut-off, the occulting screen (30) being mobile between an active position, in which the screen (30) occults part of the light rays emitted by the source (12), such that the headlight (10) provides a regulation lighting beam in rainy weather (Fp), and a retracted position in which the headlight (10) provides another regulation lighting beam (Fc),
    characterised in that the occulting screen (30) comprises at least one globally transverse portion (38) which is made of transparent material, and extends above the cut-off profile (32),
    and in that this transparent portion (38) of the occulting screen (30) comprises an area of reduced transparency (50), which forms the area of reduced lighting (Z1) in the regulation lighting beam (Fp).
  2. Headlight (10) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the area of reduced transparency (50) comprises a deposit of opaque material on at least one transverse surface (42) of the transparent portion (38).
  3. Headlight (10) according to claim 1, characterised in that the area of reduced transparency (50) comprises a localised surface treatment which is applied to at least one transverse surface (40, 42) of the transparent portion (38).
  4. Headlight (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the occulting screen (30) is made entirely of transparent material, and comprises a main occulting part (36) which is formed by depositing a layer of opaque material on at least one of its transverse surfaces (40, 42).
  5. Headlight (10) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the main occulting portion (36) comprises a layer of opaque material on the two transverse surfaces (40, 42) of the occulting screen (30).
  6. Headlight (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the transparent portion (38) extends globally in width along the entire length of the cut-off (32), and extends globally in height as far as the upper limit of the useful focal area, such that most of the non-occulted light beam necessarily passes via the transparent portion (38).
  7. Headlight (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises a fixed occulting screen known as a mask (20), which co-operates with the mobile screen (30) in the active position, such as to form the regulation lighting beam for lighting in rainy weather (Fp).
  8. Headlight (10) according to claim 1 or 7, characterised in that the occulting screen (30) is fitted such as to pivot around an axis (A2) which is contained globally on a longitudinal plane, and in that the axis of pivoting (A2) extends according to a direction which is inclined relative to the vertical, by an angle which is contained globally between zero and forty five degrees.
  9. Headlight (10) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the occulting screen (30) comprises a plurality of substantially adjacent cut-off profiles (32, 34), which correspond respectively to a plurality of regulation lighting beams (Fp, Fc).
  10. Headlight (10) according to the preceding claim, taken in combination with claim 4, characterised in that the occulting screen (30) is produced from a single piece of transparent material, and in that it is globally in the form of an angular segment of tube centred on the axis of pivoting (A2).
  11. Headlight (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the transparent material is glass.
EP05290257A 2004-02-13 2005-02-04 Projection-type vehicle headlamp comprising a shade made of transparent material Not-in-force EP1564482B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0401490A FR2866413B1 (en) 2004-02-13 2004-02-13 ELLIPTICAL PROJECTOR EQUIPPED WITH A SCREEN OF OCCULTATION IN TRANSPARENT MATTER.
FR0401490 2004-02-13

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1564482A1 EP1564482A1 (en) 2005-08-17
EP1564482B1 true EP1564482B1 (en) 2008-05-14

Family

ID=34685026

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP05290257A Not-in-force EP1564482B1 (en) 2004-02-13 2005-02-04 Projection-type vehicle headlamp comprising a shade made of transparent material

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US7455439B2 (en)
EP (1) EP1564482B1 (en)
JP (1) JP5165834B2 (en)
AT (1) ATE395556T1 (en)
DE (1) DE602005006635D1 (en)
FR (1) FR2866413B1 (en)

Families Citing this family (22)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1605202B1 (en) * 2004-06-09 2016-10-05 Valeo Vision Multifunctional headlamp device
FR2891511B1 (en) * 2005-09-30 2008-01-04 Valeo Vision Sa SYSTEM FOR ADAPTING THE LIGHTING OF A VEHICLE BASED ON A ROAD SITUATION AND METHOD IMPLEMENTED THEREBY.
FR2897415B1 (en) * 2006-02-14 2008-04-11 Valeo Vision Sa LIGHTING PROJECTOR FOR MOTOR VEHICLES.
US7810972B2 (en) * 2006-10-13 2010-10-12 Visteon Global Technologies, Inc. Headlamp assembly having an adjustable light beam direction
JP2008135302A (en) * 2006-11-29 2008-06-12 Stanley Electric Co Ltd Projector type vehicular lighting fixture
JP4997052B2 (en) * 2007-10-01 2012-08-08 株式会社小糸製作所 Vehicle headlamp
DE102007050207A1 (en) * 2007-10-20 2009-04-23 Hella Kgaa Hueck & Co. Projection headlight for vehicle, has screen device with movable part adjustably arranged in horizontal direction, where device is brought from one operating position into another position by horizontal adjustment of movable part
FR2924485B1 (en) * 2007-12-03 2013-08-16 Valeo Vision METHOD OF AUTOMATICALLY ADAPTING TO CIRCULATION CONDITIONS OF AN OPTICAL MODULE LIGHT BEAM, AND ASSOCIATED PROJECTOR
JP5106177B2 (en) * 2008-02-27 2012-12-26 株式会社小糸製作所 Vehicle headlamp
JP5199781B2 (en) * 2008-08-11 2013-05-15 株式会社小糸製作所 Vehicle headlamp device
FR2940403B1 (en) * 2008-12-19 2014-01-17 Valeo Vision Sas LIGHTING DEVICE FOR A VEHICLE HEADLAMP PROVIDING MULTIPLE LIGHTING FUNCTIONS OR A VARIABLE FUNCTION WITH A SINGLE LIGHT SOURCE
JP5448615B2 (en) * 2009-07-14 2014-03-19 株式会社小糸製作所 Vehicle headlamp
FR2960497B1 (en) * 2010-05-31 2012-07-13 Valeo Vision LIGHTING MODULE FOR MOTOR VEHICLE PROJECTOR
DE102014100904A1 (en) * 2014-01-27 2015-07-30 Hella Kgaa Hueck & Co. Lighting device for vehicles
FR3022327B1 (en) * 2014-06-16 2016-06-10 Valeo Vision ROTARY LIGHTING AND / OR SIGNALING MODULE
FR3022328B1 (en) * 2014-06-16 2016-06-10 Valeo Vision ROTARY LIGHTING AND / OR SIGNALING MODULE
EP3303910B1 (en) * 2015-05-26 2020-07-08 Lumileds Holding B.V. Lighting device with multiple-focus mode
DE102015015360A1 (en) * 2015-11-27 2017-06-01 GM Global Technology Operations LLC (n. d. Ges. d. Staates Delaware) Headlight for a motor vehicle
KR101756012B1 (en) * 2016-04-15 2017-07-07 현대자동차주식회사 Bi-function head lamp for vehicle
EP3526514B1 (en) 2016-10-14 2022-08-24 Covestro Intellectual Property GmbH & Co. KG Vehicle headlamp with color filter for reducing color fringes
CN109469882A (en) * 2017-09-07 2019-03-15 隆达电子股份有限公司 Vehicle lamp assembly
FR3125104B1 (en) * 2021-07-12 2023-06-30 Valeo Vision Light module comprising an element with variable light transmission rate

Family Cites Families (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2537249B1 (en) * 1982-12-02 1987-12-31 Cibie Projecteurs CUT BEAM PROJECTOR WITH ELLIPTICAL REFLECTOR FOR MOTOR VEHICLE
FR2558236B1 (en) * 1984-01-12 1986-05-23 Cibie Projecteurs IMPROVEMENTS ON CUTTING BEAM AUTOMOTIVE PROJECTORS
JPS6318703U (en) * 1986-07-21 1988-02-06
JPH046084Y2 (en) * 1987-03-31 1992-02-20
JPS63292501A (en) * 1987-05-26 1988-11-29 株式会社小糸製作所 Head light of vehicle
DE19704467B4 (en) * 1997-02-06 2006-07-20 Automotive Lighting Reutlingen Gmbh Vehicle headlights
DE19807153A1 (en) * 1998-02-20 1999-08-26 Bosch Gmbh Robert Headlights for vehicles according to the projection principle
DE19860669B4 (en) * 1998-12-29 2007-08-23 Automotive Lighting Reutlingen Gmbh Vehicle headlights according to the projection principle
IT1307677B1 (en) * 1999-02-08 2001-11-14 Magneti Marelli Spa MOTOR VEHICLE PROJECTOR
JP3967048B2 (en) * 1999-10-05 2007-08-29 株式会社小糸製作所 Vehicle headlamp
FR2815310B1 (en) * 2000-10-12 2003-02-21 Valeo Vision PROJECTOR FOR MOTOR VEHICLE WITH MOBILE OCCULTATION SCREEN
JP2002289013A (en) * 2000-12-05 2002-10-04 Stanley Electric Co Ltd Light fixture for use in vehicle
JP2002184219A (en) * 2000-12-18 2002-06-28 Koito Mfg Co Ltd Vehicle head light
EP1219887B1 (en) * 2000-12-25 2006-09-27 Stanley Electric Co., Ltd. Vehicle light capable of changing light distribution pattern between low-beam mode and high-beam mode by a movable shade and a reflecting surface
FR2831497B1 (en) * 2001-10-30 2004-07-09 Valeo Vision ELLIPTICAL LIGHTING DEVICE FOR MOTOR VEHICLE
US7036969B2 (en) * 2003-12-04 2006-05-02 Guide Corporation Adverse weather headlamp system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1564482A1 (en) 2005-08-17
US20050180154A1 (en) 2005-08-18
ATE395556T1 (en) 2008-05-15
FR2866413B1 (en) 2006-06-30
DE602005006635D1 (en) 2008-06-26
US7455439B2 (en) 2008-11-25
JP5165834B2 (en) 2013-03-21
FR2866413A1 (en) 2005-08-19
JP2005228747A (en) 2005-08-25

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP1564482B1 (en) Projection-type vehicle headlamp comprising a shade made of transparent material
EP1746340B1 (en) Optical module for a motor vehicle lighting device
EP1197387B1 (en) Motor vehicle headlamp comprising an adjustable shade
EP2006605B1 (en) Vehicle headlamp
EP1308669A1 (en) Projector-type headlamp for motor vehicles
EP1279893B1 (en) Projection-type vehicle headlamp comprising shutters pivoting about a transverse axis
FR2657681A1 (en) PROJECTOR FOR AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, THE LIGHT SOURCE OF WHICH IS A GAS DISCHARGE LAMP.
EP0465330B1 (en) Headlamp with several functions, especially for vehicles
FR2824623A1 (en) VEHICLE HEADLIGHT WITH COMPOSITE LIGHT DISTRIBUTION DIAGRAM
FR2769071A1 (en) VARIABLE BEAM ELLIPTICAL TYPE HEADLIGHT, IN PARTICULAR FOR MOTOR VEHICLES
EP0256930B1 (en) Fog lamp with transverse filament for motor vehicles
EP1806531B1 (en) Multifunctional elliptical headlamp device with additional optical element
EP0628765B1 (en) Vehicle headlamp with ellipsoidal type light reflector
EP1422471A2 (en) Elliptical vehicle headlamp emitting different light beams
EP3396237B1 (en) Light module for a motor vehicle
EP2006604B1 (en) Optical module for vehicular lighting device
EP1170546A1 (en) Elliptical headlight with beam modification by means of optical elements movement
EP1170547B2 (en) Elliptical-type headlight for road lighting with improved low photometry
FR2808867A1 (en) Vehicle headlamp with dual beam pattern include mobile shutter to vary illumination of reflector to determine two output beams
FR2765310A1 (en) MOTOR VEHICLE PROJECTOR CAPABLE OF EMITTING TWO DIFFERENT BEAMS WITH A SINGLE LIGHT SOURCE
FR2789474A1 (en) ELLIPTICAL GENERATOR PROJECTOR FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE, CAPABLE OF SELECTIVELY ENGAGING ONE OF TWO TYPES OF BEAMS
EP1096196A1 (en) Headlamp for vehicle with small dimensions, in particular dipping headlamp
EP1160504B1 (en) Process to adapt a headlamp low beam to the opposite driving side, device, template and headlamp for the implementation of such process
FR2758606A1 (en) Vehicle headlight having variable beam geometry
FR2758607A1 (en) Dipping automobile headlight with single lamp and reflector

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: AL BA HR LV MK YU

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20060202

AKX Designation fees paid

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20061124

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

RIC1 Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant

Ipc: F21S 8/12 20060101AFI20071120BHEP

Ipc: F21V 14/08 20060101ALI20071120BHEP

Ipc: F21W 101/10 20060101ALI20071120BHEP

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: NOT ENGLISH

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 602005006635

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20080626

Kind code of ref document: P

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20080514

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20080514

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20080825

NLV1 Nl: lapsed or annulled due to failure to fulfill the requirements of art. 29p and 29m of the patents act
PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20080514

Ref country code: PL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20080514

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20080514

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20080914

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FD4D

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20080514

Ref country code: CZ

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20080514

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20080514

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20080514

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20080814

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20081014

Ref country code: SK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20080514

Ref country code: RO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20080514

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20090217

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BG

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20080814

Ref country code: EE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20080514

BERE Be: lapsed

Owner name: VALEO VISION

Effective date: 20090228

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20080514

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20090228

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20090204

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20090228

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20090228

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20090228

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20090204

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20080815

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20090204

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: HU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20081115

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: TR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20080514

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CY

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20080514

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 12

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 13

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R079

Ref document number: 602005006635

Country of ref document: DE

Free format text: PREVIOUS MAIN CLASS: F21S0008120000

Ipc: F21S0041000000

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 14

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20200211

Year of fee payment: 16

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20200228

Year of fee payment: 16

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R119

Ref document number: 602005006635

Country of ref document: DE

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20210901

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20210228