Single arc discharge headlamp with light switch for high/low beam operation
First Claim
1. An arc discharge headlamp for producing a high beam pattern and a low beam pattern, comprising in combination:
- a reflector having a parabolic reflecting surface and an opening;
an arc light source positioned within said reflector near the focal point of said reflecting surface;
a first lens at said opening, light from said arc light source being reflected by said reflecting surface toward said first lens and passing therethrough to form said low beam pattern;
a mirror within said reflector configured and positioned to form a virtual image of said arc light source;
a second lens at said opening horizontally centered with respect to said first lens for receiving light from said virtual image of said arc light source; and
means for controlling light from said virtual image passing through said second lens, said light from said virtual image when allowed to pass through said second lens forming at least a portion of said high beam pattern.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An arc discharge headlamp system employs a single continuously operating arc discharge source to provide both high and low beam patterns. The continuously operating arc discharge increases lamp life and eliminates the problem in arc light source headlamp systems of momentary dimming when switching to high beam operation due to mercury condensing within source. The headlamp has an arc light source mounted horizontally within a reflector. Light from an arc light source is reflected by the reflector through a lens to form a low beam pattern. A mirror within the reflector is positioned to form a virtual image of the light source and which is directed towards a second lens concentric with the first lens to form a high beam pattern when combined with the low beam pattern. Switching between the high beam and low beam patterns is accomplished in a variety of ways. In the preferred embodiment, the second lens incorporates an electrically responsive light valve which either passes or blocks the virtual image of the arc light source. Alternatively, the mirror may be moved between a position that directs the virtual image through the lens to a position where the virtual image is not directed through the lens. Rather than moving the mirror, it may be blocked with a mask during low beam operation.
67 Citations
17 Claims
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1. An arc discharge headlamp for producing a high beam pattern and a low beam pattern, comprising in combination:
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a reflector having a parabolic reflecting surface and an opening; an arc light source positioned within said reflector near the focal point of said reflecting surface; a first lens at said opening, light from said arc light source being reflected by said reflecting surface toward said first lens and passing therethrough to form said low beam pattern; a mirror within said reflector configured and positioned to form a virtual image of said arc light source; a second lens at said opening horizontally centered with respect to said first lens for receiving light from said virtual image of said arc light source; and means for controlling light from said virtual image passing through said second lens, said light from said virtual image when allowed to pass through said second lens forming at least a portion of said high beam pattern. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification