WO2010086765A1

WO2010086765A1 - Burner and method for assembling a lamp

Info

Publication number: WO2010086765A1
Application number: PCT/IB2010/050263
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marcus Kubon; Juergen Flechsig; Hans-Joachim H. Unger; Alexander Peter
Original assignee: Philips Intellectual Property & Standards Gmbh; Koninklijke Philips Electronics N. V.
Priority date: 2009-01-28
Filing date: 2010-01-21
Publication date: 2010-08-05

Abstract

For assembling a lamp (32) it is provided a burner, particularly halogen burner (34), comprising a light source (22) for emitting light, a translucent envelope (36) housing the light source (22), wherein the envelope (36) comprises a pinch end (38), a holding element (40) securely connected to the envelope (36) at the pinch end (38) and a reference element (42), to which the holding element (40) is securely connected such that the light source (22) is aligned in axial direction (46) and radial direction (44) with respect to the reference element (42) in a predefined manner, wherein the reference element (42) is adapted to be connected to a cap (28) of a socket for a light, wherein the reference element (42) comprises at least one protrusion (48) for being received by at least one clip connector (30) of the cap (28) and/or a centering means (52) for centering the reference element (42) with respect to the cap (28), wherein the shape and the size of the protrusion (48) and/or of the centering means (52) are adapted for being connected to a cap (28) adapted for receiving a radially protruding circumferential edge (24) located at a tubular end (16) of a bulb (12) of a high performance incandescent burner (26), particularly for a high performance lamp (10). It is sufficient to ensure a correct alignment of the light source (22) with respect to the reference element (42), since the alignment of the reference element (42) with respect to the cap (28) adapted for a high performance incandescent burner (26) is predefined by means of the protrusion (48) and/or the centering means (52). This provides a fast and facilitated connection of the burner (34) to the cap (28) without affecting the correct alignment of the light source (22) of the burner (34) with respect to the socket.

Description

BURNER AND METHOD FOR ASSEMBLING A LAMP

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the field of burners, which may be used as light source in a lamp, particularly an automotive light like a headlight. The invention further relates to method, by which a lamp comprising such kind of a burner can be assembled. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A lot of different types of burners for use in an automotive light are known which differ significantly in their design, so that for each type of a lamp different caps and sockets are necessary for connecting a burner of a specific standard into the lamp. From WO 2007/105144 Al a high performance incandescent burner for a high performance lamp is known, which is clipped to a cap of a socket. The burner of the high performance lamp standard comprises a bulb with a nearly spherical vessel connected to a tubular end. The high performance incandescent burner comprises in comparison to a common incandescent lamp a significantly smaller vessel comprising a signifi- cantly smaller inner diameter. Thus, the size of the vessel of the high performance incandescent burner is defined by a power per area ratio of at least 1.1 W/cm², wherein existing high performance incandescent burners comprise a power per area ratio of at least 1.4 W/cm², like the high performance incandescent burner known under the name "HiPer". Due to the high power per area ratio a good sealing of the tubular end is impor- tant. Hence, the tubular end is closed by a glass plug, which is fused to the bulb in a partially melted state of the tubular end of the bulb. In order to guarantee a good sealing the tubular end must comprise a specific minimum diameter. The fusing leads to a circumferential edge protruding from the tubular end. The high performance incandescent burner is clipped to the cap of the socket via the protruding circumferential edge leading to a fast and facilitated connection without affecting the correct alignment of a light source of the burner with respect to the socket.

In contrast to the burner for a high performance lamp the burner of a halogen lamp have to be much smaller, so that a translucent envelope of the burner com- prises a high temperature at every place of the envelope. Due to the chemical halogen cycle inside the envelope the temperature of the envelope have to be such high that a deposition of tungsten on the envelope is prevented. For that reason the material of the envelope has to be close to the light source ensuring a high temperature of the envelope, which leads to a very small design of the burner. Due to the small design of the burner the envelope is provided with a pinch end, which renders an accurate connection to a cap of a socket for a lamp difficult, when a correct alignment of a light source should be ensured like in automotive applications.

From US 4,769,574 it is known to securely clamp the pinch end of an envelope of a halogen burner into a metal holding element. The metal holding element is welded to a metal sleeve, which was molded into a plastic socket of a lamp. During the welding step the correct alignment of the light source with respect to the socket is effected. It is a disadvantage of such kind of a burner and such kind of an assembling method that bulky pieces have to be arranged with respect to each other for providing the required correct alignment of a light source with respect to the socket. This leads to high space requirements during the alignment step and expensive assembling machines. Due to the uncomfortable handling during the connection of the envelope to the socket, the performing of the connection is slow and complicated. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention to provide a burner, particularly a halogen burner, as well as a method for assembling a lamp, which provides a fast and facilitated connection of the burner to a cap without affecting the correct alignment of a light source of the burner with respect to the socket.

This object is achieved according to the invention by a burner, particularly halogen burner, comprising a light source for emitting light, a translucent envelope housing the light source, wherein the envelope comprises a pinch end, a holding element securely connected to the envelope at the pinch end and a reference element, to which the holding element is securely connected such that the light source is aligned in axial direction and radial direction with respect to the reference element in a predefined manner, wherein the reference element is adapted to be connected to a cap of a socket for a light, wherein the reference element comprises at least one protrusion for being received by at least one clip connector of the cap and/or a centering means for centering the reference element with respect to the cap, wherein the shape and the size of the protrusion and/or of the centering means are adapted for being connected to a cap adapted for receiving a radially protruding circumferential edge located at a tubular end of a bulb of a high performance incandescent burner, particularly for a high performance lamp.

Although the envelope of the burner comprises a small seized pinch end, it is possible to connect the burner like a larger seized high performance incandescent burner via the appropriate shaped and seized reference element by means of a clip connection and/or several kinds of centering. The size of the vessel of the high performance incandescent burner is defined by a power per area ratio of at least 1.1 W/cm², wherein existing high performance incandescent burners comprise a power per area ratio of at least 1.4 W/cm², like the high performance incandescent burner known under the name "HiPer". At a given power, for instance 2OW, the specific minimum diameter of the tubular end is calculable defining the shape and size of the socked adapted for such kind of high performance incandescent burner, which in turn defines the shape and size of the protrusion and/or of the centering means of the burner according to the invention. For example the reference element may comprise a radial protrusion with a length in radial direction comparable to the radial extension of the bulb of a high performance lamp. This leads to a clip connection on a large diameter, so that manufacturing tolerances of the protrusion have only a negligible effect to the correct alignment of the light source of the burner. Particularly the alignment can be performed without the socket, so that bulky pieces during the alignment are prevented. It is sufficient to ensure a correct alignment of the light source, for instance a filament comprising tungsten objected to an electrical current, with respect to the reference element, since the alignment of the reference element with respect to the cap adapted for a high performance incandescent burner is predefined by means of the protrusion and/or the centering means. This provides a fast and facilitated connection of the burner to the cap without affecting the correct alignment of the light source of the burner with respect to the socket. The reference element provides in addition to the function of enabling an adjustment of the light source with reference to the reference element the function of an adapter enabling the use of a cap and/or of a socket adapted for the standard of high performance incandescent burner. Due to the high accuracy as well as the facilitated and cost efficient assembling the burner according to the invention is suitable for lights, which demand an increased accuracy at low costs, for instance automotive lights like headlights, taillights, brake lights and the like. Since the identical designed cap can be used for a halogen burner with a pinch end as well as for a high performance incandescent burner with a tubular end the manufacturing costs for the cap and the socket can be reduced due to the effects of mass production. The holding element, by which the pinch end of the envelope may be securely clamped, may be bonded or welded to the reference element, wherein during the inseparable connection of the holding element to the reference element the light source may be adjusted in radial direction and axial direction with respect to the reference element. The holding element and the reference element are particularly made from a metal material for enabling a connection provided by laser welding. The pinch end is particularly provided during the manufacturing process of the envelope by compressing at least one end of the envelope, which may be made from glass, particularly quartz glass. The pinch end may be provided by heating and/or partially melting the envelope at the at least one end, par- ticularly by a rolling process. During the rolling process rolls rub with pressure onto the envelope at the intended pinch end until the envelope is heated. Leads are led within the envelope from the outside along the pinch end electrodes for applying voltage to the light source. Particularly the cap, to which the reference element may be connected, is molded into a plastic socket. Particularly the reference element is adapted for being press-fitted to the cap, wherein the reference element is particularly elastically compressible in axial direction for providing a holding force in axial direction to the cap in assembled state, wherein the length of the reference element in axial direction is particularly chosen such that during assembling an elastic compression only is obtainable. Due to the press-fit connection a clearance between the reference element and the cap is prevented. A predefined alignment of the reference element with respect to the cap can be guaranteed leading to a predefined alignment of the light source with respect to the socket, which comprises the cap. Particularly a plastic deformation of the reference element is prevented, so that only an elastic compression of the reference element and/or the cap is obtainable during the assembling. Due to the elastic compression and the holding forces in assembled state a predictable self-centering effect can be obtained particularly in radial direction as well as in axial direction, which leads to an increased accuracy for the alignment of the light source in assembled state. Due to the elastic press-fit of the reference element a damping effect protecting the burner and particularly the light source against hard hits is provided. The elasticity in axial direction facilitates an inserting of the reference element into the cap, since the reference element can be slightly compressed in axial direction against a bottom of the cap until the clip connector of the cap snaps inwards for loss-proof holding the reference element. A release of the force applied to the reference element for slightly compressing the reference element in axial direction leads to the situation, that the reference element provides the holding force to the cap and particularly to the snap connector, wherein an automatically occurring homogenization of the holding force leads to a self-centering effect of the reference element with respect to the cap.

Preferably the reference element comprises a bottom plate and the bottom plate comprises the centering means in the form of a recess and/or a deepening and/or a heightening for coming into contact with a mainly correspondingly shaped centering element of the cap, particularly by press-fitting. The reference element may be particularly connected to the cap by pressing via the connection of the centering means of the reference element to the centering element of the cap. During assembling the reference ele- ment is first automatically centered due to the centering means. Due to the intended press-fit a holding force between the centering means of the reference element and the centering element of the cap is provided, which is particularly chosen such high, that the centering means is particularly securely fastened to the centering element. Particularly the length of the reference element in axial direction is chosen such that in the assembled state the bottom plate of the reference element is in plane contact to the cap. The reference element may be pressed to the cap until the bottom plate of the reference element comes into contact to a bottom of the cap. Due to the contact of the bottom plate to the bottom a further movement of the reference element with respect to the cap can be prevented. Particularly an irreversible plastic deformation of the centering means and/or the centering element can be allowed without affecting the accurate adjustment of the light source, since the contact of the bottom plate to the bottom limits the amount of the deformation. A secure connection between the centering means and the centering element can be provided.

Particularly the reference element comprises a contour protruding in radi- al direction with respect to the at least one clip connector of the cap such that the reference element is only mountable in a predefined alignment in circumferential direction. For instance the reference element may comprise a radially protruding nose adapted to be arranged between two clip connectors limiting the movability of the reference element with respect to the cap and particularly of the light source. For example a bayonet coupl- ing can be provided. A predefined position of the light source with respect to the cap can be guaranteed even in circumferential direction.

In a preferred embodiment the reference element comprises at least one at least partially surrounding reference ring for providing the protrusion, wherein the reference ring comprises reference marks for align the light source with respect to the refer- ence element. By means of the reference ring reference marks pointing in axial direction can be provided. This facilitates the adjustment of the light source with respect to the reference element by means of optical test methods. At the same time the reference ring may provide the protrusion for being connected to the clip connector of the cap. Thus, the reference ring provides the additional function of providing an accurate connection in one piece. It is sufficient to adapt the reference ring in shape and size to the clip connector of the cap, which is intentionally adapted for being connected to a high performance incandescent burner.

In a further embodiment the holding element is connected to the reference element inseparably, particularly by ultrasonic welding or laser welding. A low number of fixing points, particularly three welding points, are sufficient to provide a secure connection for locking the accurate adjustment of the light source with respect to the reference element.

The invention further relates to a lamp, particularly for an automotive light, comprising a cap of a socket for a light and a burner, which may be designed as previously described, connected to the cap via the reference element, wherein the cap comprises at least one clip connector adapted for receiving a radially protruding circumferential edge located at a tubular end of a bulb of a high performance incandescent burner, particularly for a high performance lamp. It is sufficient to ensure a correct alignment of the light source with respect to the reference element, since the alignment of the reference element with respect to the cap adapted for a high performance incandescent burner is predefined by means of the protrusion and/or the centering means. This provides a fast and facilitated connection of the burner to the cap without affecting the correct alignment of the light source of the burner with respect to the socket. Particularly the reference element is partially pressed into the material of the cap. The reference element may be connected to the cap by pressing particularly via the connection of the centering means of the reference element to the centering element of the cap. A press-fit connection between the reference element and the cap provides a secure connection without affecting the accuracy of the adjustment of the light source. Preferably the reference element is immobile in axial direction and in radial direction with respect to the cap. A clearance in axial direction as well in radial direction between the reference element and the cap can be prevented, so that the position of the light source with respect to the cap cannot be changed. The accuracy of the align- ment of the light source with respect to the cap cannot be affected. A movement of the reference element in circumferential direction can be allowed, limited or also blocked.

In a preferred embodiment the at least one clip connector blocks a movement of the reference element in axial direction and a centering element of the cap, which is mainly correspondingly shaped to the centering means of the reference element, blocks a movement of the reference element in radial direction. The functions of blocking the movement of the reference ring in axial direction as well as in radial direction are distributed to two different pieces. This leads to a facilitated design of the clip connector and the centering element. Further the assembling can be facilitated, since the blocking in radial direction may occur independently from the blocking in axial direction.

The invention further relates to an automotive light, particularly headlight, positioning light, parking light, blinking light and/or rear light, comprising a lamp, which may be designed as previously described. It is sufficient to ensure a correct alignment of the light source with respect to the reference element, since the alignment of the refer- ence element with respect to the cap adapted for a high performance incandescent burner is predefined by means of the protrusion and/or the centering means. This provides a fast and facilitated connection of the burner into the automotive light without affecting the correct alignment of the light source of the burner with respect to the socket. The automotive light may comprise a lens system and/or a reflection system for guiding the light emitted by the light source of the burner. Particularly the cap, to which the reference element is connected, is molded into a plastic socket.

The invention further relates to a use of a cap of a socket, particularly for an automotive light, wherein the cap comprises at least one clip connector adapted for receiving a radially protruding circumferential edge located at a tubular end of a bulb of a high performance incandescent burner, particularly for a high performance lamp, for receiving a burner, which may be designed as previously described, and/or for assembling a lamp, which may be designed as previously described. Since the identical designed cap can be used for a halogen burner with a pinch end as well as for a high performance incandescent burner with a tubular end the manufacturing costs for the cap and the socket can be reduced due to the effects of mass production.

The invention further relates to a method for assembling a lamp, which particularly may be designed as previously described, comprising the steps of:

- providing a burner, which may be designed as previously described, wherein the holding element is securely connected to the reference element such that the light source is aligned in axial direction and radial direction with respect to the reference element in a predefined manner by a previous alignment step and

- connecting the burner to a cap adapted for receiving a radially protruding circumferential edge located at a tubular end of a bulb of a high performance incan- descent burner, particularly for a high performance lamp, at a time later than the alignment step for obtaining the lamp. Particularly the lamp is assembled into an automotive light.

It is used the insight that by providing a connection of the reference element to the cap in a predefined manner with respect to the position of the reference ele- ment to the cap it is possible to adjust the light source not with respect to the cap or the socket by only with respect to the reference ring without affecting the accurate positioning of the light source with respect to the cap and/or the socket. It is sufficient to ensure a correct alignment of the light source with respect to the reference element, since the alignment of the reference element with respect to the cap adapted for a high perfor- mance incandescent burner is predefined by means of the protrusion and/or the centering means. This provides a fast and facilitated connection of the burner to the cap without affecting the correct alignment of the light source of the burner with respect to the socket.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic exploded side view of a high performance lamp,

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the high performance lamp of FIG. 1 in assembled state,

FIG. 3 is a schematic exploded side view of a halogen lamp and FIG. 4 is a schematic sided view of the halogen lamp of FIG. 3 in assem- bled state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS The high performance lamp 10 as illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 comprises a bulb 12. The bulb 12 comprises a mainly spherical vessel 14, which is one-piece with a tubular end 16. The tubular end is closed by a glass plug 18, through which connectors 20 are led for applying voltage to a light source 22, which is in the illustrated embodiment a filament comprising mainly tungsten. By means of the bulb 12 and the parts securely connected to the bulb a high performance incandescent burner 26 of the high performance lamp 10 is defined.

Since the plug 18 is fused to the tubular end 16 a circumferential edge 24 is provided. By means of the circumferential edge 24 the high performance incandescent burner 26 can be connected to a cap 28 of a not illustrated socket. The high performance incandescent burner 26 is clipped to the cap 28 of the socket via the protruding circumferential edge 24 by means of four clip connectors 30 leading to a fast and facilitated connection without affecting the correct alignment of the light source 22 with respect to the socket. Compared to the high performance lamp 10 as illustrated in FIG. 1 and

FIG. 2 the halogen lamp 32 according to the invention as illustrated in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 comprises a completely different design. The halogen lamp 32 comprises a burner 34. The burner 34 comprises a light source 22, which is in the illustrated embodiment a filament comprising mainly tungsten, and a translucent envelope 36, which is located near to the light source 22 for providing a high temperature of the envelope 36 during operation of the light source 22. The envelope 36 comprises a pinch end 38, through which connectors 20 are led for applying voltage to the light source 22. The pinch end 38 is securely connected to a holding element 40, which is part of the burner 34. For instance the pinch end 38 is clamped via its side faces into corresponding recesses of the holding element 40. The burner 34 further comprises a reference element 42, to which the holding element 40 can be securely connected, for instance by means of laser welding or the like. The reference element 42 may comprise not illustrated reference marks for adjusting the light source 22 with respect to the reference element in radial direction 44 and axial direction 46 by means of optical test methods prior or during the connecting of the hold- ing element 40 to the reference element 42. The reference marks particularly point in axial direction upwards towards a distal of the envelope 36.

The reference element 42 may comprise an at least partially surrounding reference ring 48, where the reference marks may be provided particularly on an upper surface pointing to the distal end of the envelope 36. By means of the reference ring 48 a protrusion is provided, wherein the protrusion is particularly adapted in shape and size to the surrounding edge 24 of the high performance lamp 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. Due to the chosen shape and size of the edge provided by the reference ring 48 the burner 34 can be clipped to a cap 28, which is identical shaped like the cap 28 illu- strated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. The edge 48 of the burner 34 can be received by the clip connectors 30 of the cap. In the alternate or in addition the reference element 42 may comprise a bottom plate 50 with a centering means, which is in the illustrated embodiment a deepening 52 for press-fitting to a corresponding not illustrated centering element of the cap 28 particularly by pressing. Particularly the reference element 42 can be elastically compressed in axial direction 46 during assembling, so that the protruding edge 48 may be connected to the clip connectors 30 with a holding force in axial direction 46. A slight elastic compression of the reference element 42 in the state as illustrated in FIG. 4 leads automatically to a pressing of the centering means 52 to the cap 28 as well as to a connection of the edge 48 to the four clip connectors 30 of the cap.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive; the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. For example, it is possible to operate the invention in an embodi- ment wherein the burner 34 adapted for the halogen lamp 32 is replaced by a burner with a pinch end adapted to a different standard. Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefi- nite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measured cannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. Burner, particularly halogen burner (34), comprising a light source (22) for emitting light, a translucent envelope (36) housing the light source (22), wherein the envelope (36) comprises a pinch end (38), a holding element (40) securely connected to the envelope (36) at the pinch end (38) and a reference element (42), to which the holding element (40) is securely connected such that the light source (22) is aligned in axial direction (46) and radial direction (44) with respect to the reference element (42) in a predefined manner, wherein the reference element (42) is adapted to be connected to a cap (28) of a socket for a light, wherein the reference element (42) comprises at least one protrusion (48) for being received by at least one clip connector (30) of the cap (28) and/or a centering means (52) for centering the reference element (42) with respect to the cap (28), wherein the shape and the size of the protrusion (48) and/or of the centering means (52) are adapted for being connected to a cap (28) adapted for receiving a radially protruding circumferential edge (24) located at a tubular end (16) of a bulb (12) of a high performance incandescent burner (26), particularly for a high performance lamp (10).

2. Burner according to claim 1 whereby the reference element (42) is adapted for being press-fitted to the cap (28), wherein the reference element (42) is particularly elastically compressible in axial direction (46) for providing a holding force in axial direction (46) to the cap (28) in assembled state, wherein the length of the reference element (42) in axial direction (46) is particularly chosen such that during assembling an elastic compression only is obtainable.

3. Burner according to claim 1 whereby the reference element (42) comprises a bottom plate (50) and the bottom plate (50) comprises the centering means (52) in the form of a recess and/or a deepening and/or a heightening for coming into contact with a mainly correspondingly shaped centering element of the cap (28), particularly by press-fitting.

4. Burner according to claim 4 whereby the length of the reference ele- ment (42) in axial direction (46) is chosen such that in the assembled state the bottom plate (50) of the reference element (42) is in plane contact to the cap (28).

5. Burner according to claim 1 whereby the reference element (42) comprises a contour protruding in radial direction (44) with respect to the at least one clip con- nector (30) of the cap (28) such that the reference element (42) is only mountable in a predefined alignment in circumferential direction.

6. Burner according to claim 1 whereby the reference element (42) comprises at least one at least partially surrounding reference ring (48) for providing the protru- sion (48), wherein the reference ring (48) comprises reference marks for align the light source (22) with respect to the reference element (42).

7. Burner according to claim 1 whereby the holding element (40) is connected to the reference element (42) inseparably, particularly by ultrasonic welding or laser welding.

8. Lamp, particularly for an automotive light, comprising a cap (28) of a socket for a light and a burner (34) according to claim 1 connected to the cap (28) via the reference element (42), wherein the cap (28) comprises at least one clip connec- tor (30) adapted for receiving a radially protruding circumferential edge (24) located at a tubular end (16) of a bulb (12) of a high performance incandescent burner (26), particularly for a high performance lamp (10).

9. Lamp according to claim 8 whereby the reference element (42) is partially pressed into the material of the cap (28).

10. Lamp according to claim 8 whereby the reference element (42) is immobile in axial direction (46) and in radial direction (44) with respect to the cap (28).

11. Lamp according to claim 10 whereby the at least one clip connector (30) blocks a movement of the reference element (42) in axial direction (46) and a centering element of the cap, which is mainly correspondingly shaped to the centering means (52) of the reference element (42), blocks a movement of the reference element (42) in radial direction (44).

12. Automotive light, particularly headlight, positioning light, parking light, blinking light and/or rear light, comprising a lamp (32) according to claim 8.

13. Use of a cap (28) of a socket, particularly for an automotive light, wherein the cap (28) comprises at least one clip connector (30) adapted for receiving a radially protruding circumferential edge (24) located at a tubular end (16) of a bulb (12) of a high performance burner (26), particularly for a high performance lamp (10), for receiving a burner (34) according to claim 1 and/or for assembling a lamp (32) according to claim 8.

14. Method for assembling a lamp (32), particularly according to claim 8, comprising the steps of:

- providing a burner (34) according to claim 1, wherein the holding element (40) is securely connected to the reference element (42) such that the light source (22) is aligned in axial direction (46) and radial direction (44) with respect to the reference element (42) in a predefined manner by a previous alignment step and

- connecting the burner (34) to a cap (28) adapted for receiving a radially protruding circumferential edge (24) located at a tubular end (16) of a bulb (12) of a high performance incandescent burner (26), particularly for a high performance lamp (10), at a time later than the alignment step for obtaining the lamp (32).

15. Method according to claim 14 wherein the lamp (32) is assembled into an automotive light.