GB2459472A - Vehicle headlight with mechanically operated dimming - Google Patents
Vehicle headlight with mechanically operated dimming Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2459472A GB2459472A GB0807389A GB0807389A GB2459472A GB 2459472 A GB2459472 A GB 2459472A GB 0807389 A GB0807389 A GB 0807389A GB 0807389 A GB0807389 A GB 0807389A GB 2459472 A GB2459472 A GB 2459472A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- light shield
- light
- vehicle headlight
- headlight assembly
- positioning plate
- 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.)
- Withdrawn
Links
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 claims abstract 2
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 claims abstract 2
- 238000005286 illumination Methods 0.000 abstract description 6
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 6
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 3
- 235000010627 Phaseolus vulgaris Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 244000046052 Phaseolus vulgaris Species 0.000 description 1
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000011161 development Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000018109 developmental process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
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
- F21S41/689—Flaps, i.e. screens pivoting around one of their edges
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
- B60Q1/02—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments
- B60Q1/04—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments the devices being headlights
- B60Q1/14—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments the devices being headlights having dimming means
- B60Q1/1438—Actuating means for dimming masks or screens
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F21—LIGHTING
- F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F21V11/00—Screens not covered by groups F21V1/00, F21V3/00, F21V7/00 or F21V9/00
- F21V11/16—Screens not covered by groups F21V1/00, F21V3/00, F21V7/00 or F21V9/00 using sheets without apertures, e.g. fixed
- F21V11/18—Screens not covered by groups F21V1/00, F21V3/00, F21V7/00 or F21V9/00 using sheets without apertures, e.g. fixed movable, e.g. flaps, slides
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Non-Portable Lighting Devices Or Systems Thereof (AREA)
Abstract
A vehicle headlight assembly 100 includes a reflective housing 1 which reflects light through an opening 111; a pivoting light shield 2; and a drive unit 5. The light shield (2) moves between a position where it blocks a portion of the light and a position where it no longer blocks light, enabling the headlamp to switch between low-beam and high-beam illumination. Drive unit 5 may comprise a solenoid 513 and a compression spring (fig 3, 512) to bias the shield 2 toward the low-beam position. The shield 2 may be hinged on a positioning plate 12 having a cut-out 122 by a shaft 3 and having a further spring 4 to help maintain the shield 2 in the low-beam position.
Description
VEHICLE HEADLIGHT ASSE}LY This invention relates to a vehicle headlight assembly, more particularly to a vehicle headlight assembly having a changeover mechanism that is mechanically operated for effecting a switch between low-and high-beam illumi nation.
A conventional vehicle headlight assembly normally includes a pair of separate illuminating modules-one for low-beam illumination and the other for high-beam illumination. Each illuminating module has light reflecting and illuminating paths that are different from those of the other light illuminating module.
Recent developments in vehicle headlight assembly design embrace a configuration in which a single illuminating module operates either as a low-or a high-beam illuminating module. That is, by using only one:llumiattrc monulo instead of two togetFr with a changeover mecnanism, such an til uminatang module is capable of projecting either a low beam or a high beam.
However, the conventional vehicle headlight assembly utilizing such a changeover mechanism Is complicated and unreliable.
An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle headlight assembly, in which a changeover mechanism that is used to effect switching between low-and high-beam illumination is simple and reliable According to the present invention, a vehicle headlight assembly includes a reflective housing, a light shield, and a drive unit. The reflective housing is formed with an opening, and is adapted to house a light source and to reflect light emitted by the light source through the opening. The light shield is pivotably connected to the reflective housing, and is movable between a firstpositionwhereat the light shield is adapted to block a predetermined portion of the light reflected by the reflective housing, and a second position whereat the light shield no longer blocks the predetermined portion of the light reflected by the reflective housing. The drive unit is connected to the light shield and selectively drives the light shie3.d between the first and second positions.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the preferred embodiment of a vehicle headlight assembly according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the vehicle headlight assembly of the preferred embodiment in an assembled state; Figure 3 is a sectional view of a drive unit of the vehicle headlamp assembly according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 shows the preferred embodiment of the vehicle headlight assembly in a state projecting a low beam; and Figures show3 the preferred embodiment of the vehicle $ headlamp assembly in a state projecting a high beam.
Referring to Figures 1. 2, and 3, the preferred embodiment of a vehicle headlight assembly 100 according to the present intention includes a reflective housing 1, a light shield 2, a pivot shaft 3, an urging member 4. and a drive unit 5.
The reflective housing I is formed with an opening ill and has a reflective surface (C). The reflective housing I is adapted to house a light source (S) and to reflect light emitted by the light source (9) through the opening 111.
The light shield 2 is pivotably connected to the reflective housing 1, and is movable between a first position whereat the light shield 2 is adapted to block a predetermined portion of the light reflected by the reflective surface (C) of the reflective housing I, as shown in Figure 4, and a second position whereat the light shield 2 no longer blocks the predetermined portion of the light reflected by the reflective surface (C) of the -reflective housing 1, as shown in Figure 5.
The drive unit S is connected to the light shield 2 and selectively drives the light shield 2 between the first and second positions. In this embodiment, the firstpositionreferstothepositionatwhichthevehicle headlight assembly 100 operates as a low-beam illuminating module, whereas the second position refers to the position at which the vehicle headlight assembly 100 operates as a high-beamiliuminating module.
The drive unit 5 includes a solenoid valve 51 and a link 52. The solenoid valve SI has a coil 513, a movable plunger 511 disposed partially within the coil 513 and connected to the light shield 2, and a spring member 512 selactively exerting an urging force on the plunger 511. In the preferred embodiment, the spring member 512 is a comoression spring. Since the operation of the solenoid valve SI is well known to those skilled in the art, a detailed description of the sare will be dispensed with herein.
The reflective housing 1 includes a light holder II having the opening 111 and adapted to house the light source (5) , and a positioning plate 12 mounted to a front side of the light holder 11 for providing support to the light shield 2. The positioning plate 12 has a connecting portion 121. The light shield 2 includes a pivoting portion 21 pivotably connected to the connecting portion 121 of the positioning plate 12, and a coupling plate 22. The link 52 has one end connected to the coupling plate 22, and the other end connected to the plunger 511.
The positioning plate. 12 is formed with a cutout 122 corresponding in location to the pivoting portion 21 of the light shield 2. The cutout 122 provides a space for pivoting movement of the pivoting portion 21 of the light shield 2.
$ The pivot shaft 3 extends through the connecting portion 121 and the pivoting portion 2130 as to pivotably connect the light shield 2 to the positioning plate 12.
Reference is now made to Figures 1, 4, and 5. The urging member 4 is disposed between the positioning plate 12 and the light shield 2. In the preferred embodiment, the urging member 4 is a spiral spring having a center hole 41 and two arms 42. The urging member 4 provides a biasing force that acts on the light shield 2 to help maintain the light shield 2 at the first position. The pivot shaft 3 extends through the canter hole 41. The arms 42 abut respectively against the positioning plate 12 and the light shield 2.
In use, when the coil 513 of the solenoid valve 51 is electrically activated, the coil 513 displaces the plunger 511 laterally to move the link 52, as shown in Figure 5. In other words, the plunger 511 is displaced by the coil 513 to drive the light shield 2 to the second position. In such a state, the spring member 512 is compressed to store a biasing force that can be utilized subsequently for returning the light shield 2 to the first position when the coil 513 is deactivated.
When the light shield 2 is at the second position, the vehicle headlight assembly 100 operates as a high-beam illuminating module that projects a high beam.
In Figure 5, A" indicates the predetermined portion of the reflected light that isblockedbythe light shield 2. When the light shield 2 is at the first position, the predetermined portion (A) of the reflected light ascendingly exits the reflective housing 1 through the opening 111 to thereby project a high beam. On the other hand, B" indicates a predetermined portion of the reflected light that descendingly exits the reflective housing 1 through the opening 111 to thereby project a low beam. figure 4 illustrates the vehicle headlight assembly 100 in a state projecting a low bean. When the solenoid valve 51 is not activated, the plunger 511 is displaced by the spring member 512, such that the light shield 2 pivots relative to the pivot shaft 3 to the first position. In addition, the urging member 4 provides a biasing force that acts on the light shield 2 to help maintain the light shield 2 at the first position.
Therefore, a portion of the opening 111 is shielded.
The biasing force of the urging member 4 ensures that the light shield 2 tightly abuts against the light holder 11 of the reflective housing 1, so that the portion of the opening 111 remains shielded. In this state, the predetermined portion (A) of the reflected light is blocked by the light shield 2, while the predetermined portion (B) of the reflected light radiates through the opening 111 to descendingly exit the ref lective housing 1. As a result, the vehicle headlight assembly 100 functions as a low-beam illuminating module.
The changeover mechanism used in the present S invention is simple and reliable. That is, by implementing a drive unit 5 that includes a solenoid valve 51 to drive the light shield 2, a changeover mechanism for controlling the vehicle headlight assembly 100 can be realized. The changeover mechanism controls the transmission of the reflected light passing through the reflective housing I so as to effect switching between low-and high-beam illumination.
The present invention is subject to the following modifications and variations: iS 1. In thepreferred embodiment, the positioningplatá 12 provides support for the light shield 2 and prevents the reflected light from passing excessively in a downward direction through the opening Ill. If, however, the connecting portion 121 is directly mounted on the light holder 11 for coupling with the light shield 2, then the positioning plate 12 can be omitted in other embodiments of the invention.
2. In the preferred embodiment, the urging member 4 provides a biasing force that acts on the light shield 2 to helpmaintain the light shield 2 at the first position.
Meanwhile, the spring member 512 exerts an urging force on the plunger 511 to similarlymaintain the light shield 2 at the first position. If the spring member 512 can provide a sufficient force by itself to maintain the light shield 2 at the first position, then the urging member 4 can be Qmitted in other embodiments of the S invention.
3. The preferred embodiment of the present invention utilizes only one drive unit 5 to move the light shield 2. However, it is also possible to have two drive units S for moving the light shield 2. In this scenario, due to the fact that two of the drive units 5 are employed, an increase in the urging force acting on what would be a pair of the plungers 511 results, so that the light shield 2 can be more easily and fully returned to the first position. As such, the urging member 4can be omitted in other embodiments of the invention. a:
Claims (9)
1. A vehicle headlight assembly comprising: a reflective housing formed with an opening, and adapted to house a light source and to reflect light S emitted by the light source through said opening; a light shield pivotably connected to said reflective housing and movable between a first position whereat said light shield is adapted to block a predetermined portion of the light reflectedby said reflectivehousing, and a second position whereat said light shield no longer blocks the predetermined portion of the tight reflected by said ref lective housing; and a drive unit connected to said light shield and selectively driving said light shield between the first is and second positions.
2 * The vehicle headlight assembly of claim 1, iherein said drive unit includes: a solenoid valve having a coil, a movable plunger disposed partially within said coil and connected to said light shield, and a spring member selectively exerting an urging force on said plunger, said plunger being displaced by said coil to drive said light shield to the second position when said coil is activated, said plunger being displaced by said spring member to drive said light shield to the first position when said coil is deactivated.
3. The vehicle headlight assembly of claim 1, wherein said reflective housing includes a light holder having $ said opening and adapted to house the light source, and a positioning plate mounted to a front side of said light holder, said positioning plate having a connecting portion, said light shield including a pivoting portion pivotably connected to said connecting portion. l0
4. The vehicle headlight assembly of claim 3, wherein said positioning plate is formed with a cutout corresponding in location to said pivoting portion of said light shield, said cutout providing a space for pivoting movement of said pivoting portion of said light shield.
5. The vehicle headlight assembly of Claim 4, further comprising a pivot shaft extending through said connecting portion and said pivoting portion so as to pivotably connect said light shield to said positioning plate.
6. The vehicle headlight assembly of claims, further comprising an urging member disposed between said positioning plate and said light shield, said urging member providing a biasing force that acts on said light shield to help maintain said light shield at the first position.
7. The vehicle headlight assembly of claim 6, wherein said urging member is a spiral spring having a center bole andtwo arms, said pivot shaft extending through said center hole, said arms abutting respectively against said positioning plate and said light shield.
8. The vehicle headlight assembly of claim 2, wherein said spring member is a compression spring.
9. The vehicle headlight assembly substantially as hereinbef ore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0807389A GB2459472A (en) | 2008-04-23 | 2008-04-23 | Vehicle headlight with mechanically operated dimming |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0807389A GB2459472A (en) | 2008-04-23 | 2008-04-23 | Vehicle headlight with mechanically operated dimming |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB0807389D0 GB0807389D0 (en) | 2008-05-28 |
| GB2459472A true GB2459472A (en) | 2009-10-28 |
Family
ID=39494096
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0807389A Withdrawn GB2459472A (en) | 2008-04-23 | 2008-04-23 | Vehicle headlight with mechanically operated dimming |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2459472A (en) |
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP2013165017A (en) * | 2012-02-13 | 2013-08-22 | Koito Mfg Co Ltd | Variable light distribution device equipped with brake mechanism |
| CN105644421A (en) * | 2016-03-01 | 2016-06-08 | 上海小糸车灯有限公司 | Movable sun visor mechanism for vehicle light type switch |
| CN105774633A (en) * | 2016-03-01 | 2016-07-20 | 上海小糸车灯有限公司 | Light form conversion drive device rotary shaft sub assembly and application thereof |
| CN105835757A (en) * | 2016-01-08 | 2016-08-10 | 上海小糸车灯有限公司 | Motor type light type conversion drive device shell |
Families Citing this family (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN112238806B (en) * | 2019-07-17 | 2022-05-13 | 王仁茂 | Far and near light control device |
| CN110861573A (en) * | 2019-12-18 | 2020-03-06 | 苏州卡利肯新光讯科技有限公司 | Shading mechanism for automobile headlamp and headlamp comprising same |
Citations (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2799816A1 (en) * | 1999-10-19 | 2001-04-20 | Valeo Vision | Motor vehicle headlamp with mobile screen for high or low beam settings, uses motor with air coupling to activate screen which returns to rest position under influence of spring or counterweight |
| KR20030005780A (en) * | 2001-07-10 | 2003-01-23 | 주식회사 성산 | a beam conversion device of headlight for an automobile |
| KR20030005781A (en) * | 2001-07-10 | 2003-01-23 | 주식회사 성산 | a beam conversion device of headlight for an automobile |
| US7140759B1 (en) * | 2005-02-01 | 2006-11-28 | Jen Mao Wang | Light beam adjusting device for vehicle |
| US20070147061A1 (en) * | 2005-12-27 | 2007-06-28 | China Technology Co., Ltd. | Light beam adjusting device for vehicle |
-
2008
- 2008-04-23 GB GB0807389A patent/GB2459472A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2799816A1 (en) * | 1999-10-19 | 2001-04-20 | Valeo Vision | Motor vehicle headlamp with mobile screen for high or low beam settings, uses motor with air coupling to activate screen which returns to rest position under influence of spring or counterweight |
| KR20030005780A (en) * | 2001-07-10 | 2003-01-23 | 주식회사 성산 | a beam conversion device of headlight for an automobile |
| KR20030005781A (en) * | 2001-07-10 | 2003-01-23 | 주식회사 성산 | a beam conversion device of headlight for an automobile |
| US7140759B1 (en) * | 2005-02-01 | 2006-11-28 | Jen Mao Wang | Light beam adjusting device for vehicle |
| US20070147061A1 (en) * | 2005-12-27 | 2007-06-28 | China Technology Co., Ltd. | Light beam adjusting device for vehicle |
Cited By (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP2013165017A (en) * | 2012-02-13 | 2013-08-22 | Koito Mfg Co Ltd | Variable light distribution device equipped with brake mechanism |
| CN105835757A (en) * | 2016-01-08 | 2016-08-10 | 上海小糸车灯有限公司 | Motor type light type conversion drive device shell |
| CN105644421A (en) * | 2016-03-01 | 2016-06-08 | 上海小糸车灯有限公司 | Movable sun visor mechanism for vehicle light type switch |
| CN105774633A (en) * | 2016-03-01 | 2016-07-20 | 上海小糸车灯有限公司 | Light form conversion drive device rotary shaft sub assembly and application thereof |
| CN105774633B (en) * | 2016-03-01 | 2018-05-29 | 上海小糸车灯有限公司 | A kind of light type conversion driving device shaft sub-unit and its application |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB0807389D0 (en) | 2008-05-28 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US10259380B2 (en) | Dual light path forming type projection optical system and head lamp and vehicle to which the same optical system is applied | |
| GB2459472A (en) | Vehicle headlight with mechanically operated dimming | |
| US6425683B1 (en) | Vehicle headlamp | |
| JP3638835B2 (en) | Vehicle headlamp | |
| JP6125767B2 (en) | Vehicle headlamp | |
| JP2001118407A5 (en) | ||
| US20010028566A1 (en) | Vehicular headlamp | |
| WO2014115875A1 (en) | Vehicle lighting unit, and vehicle headlight | |
| US6152584A (en) | Vehicle headlight | |
| JP6011915B2 (en) | Vehicle headlamp | |
| JP6147510B2 (en) | Vehicle headlamp | |
| JP2014002963A (en) | Headlight for vehicle | |
| KR101704131B1 (en) | Head lamp for automobile | |
| US20060044802A1 (en) | Aimable vehicle lamp assembly | |
| JP2014029820A (en) | Vehicular headlamp | |
| CN117053141A (en) | Far and near light switching device | |
| US6796692B2 (en) | Vehicle headlamp with solenoid-actuated movable shade | |
| JP7404480B2 (en) | Vehicle lighting unit | |
| US20020067620A1 (en) | Bi-functional tilted axis reflector headlamp | |
| JP6619056B2 (en) | Vehicle lamp unit | |
| JP6392821B2 (en) | Vehicle lamp unit | |
| KR200285011Y1 (en) | Headlight with gas discharging lamp for automobile | |
| CN108340838B (en) | Inner rear-view mirror of motor vehicle | |
| US7018078B2 (en) | Light assembly with bending light | |
| CN108473083A (en) | Illumination with the semi-automatic switching for switching to dipped beam from high beam and signaling switch |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |