Mini-projector beam headlamps

• US 5,681,104 A
• Filed: 11/06/1995
• Issued: 10/28/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 11/06/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies Incorporated (Visteon Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Ford Motor Company
• Inventors: Dassanayake, Mahendra S., Chinniah, Jeyachandrabose, Wasilewski, Alfred, Erion, Jeffrey A.
• Primary Examiner(s): LEE, Y MY QUACH
• Application Number:
  US08/553,909
• Time in Patent Office: 722 Days
• Field of Search: 362/61, 362/237, 362/240, 362/241, 362/247, 362/248, 362/297, 362/298, 362/307, 362/346, 362/351, 362/311
• US Class Current: 362/538
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/43 characterised by the shape thereof

Abstract

Headlamp system for an automotive vehicle has an individual lamp for illuminating a high intensity zone and a spread zone of an image surface. The system includes a first light source having a substantially elliptical reflector for directing light to a spread light zone on an image surface and a second light source having a filament mounted in an axial direction to the length. A second reflector has a generally elliptical shape, a first focus, a second focus and a magnification. The second reflector directs light to a high intensity zone on the image surface. A light shield having a generally planar surface is mounted substantially normal to the longitudinal axis substantially at the second focus. An aspheric lens having an aperture having a width is located between the shield and image surface. The maximum magnification of the filament at the aspheric lens is substantially the width of the aperture.

Claims

1. A headlamp system for an automotive vehicle having a longitudinal axis, comprising:

an image surface;

a first light source;

a first reflector having a substantially elliptical reflector directing light from said first light source to a spread light zone on said image surface;

a second light source having a filament with a length, said length mounted in a parallel direction to said longitudinal axis;

a second reflector having a generally elliptical shape having a first focus, a second focus, and a magnification, said second reflector directing light from said second light source to a high intensity zone on said image surface;

a light shield having a generally planar surface mounted substantially normal to said longitudinal axis substantially at said second focus; and

an aspheric lens having an aperture width, wherein said second reflector magnification of light from said second light source filament at said lens is substantially a diameters of the aperture width.

2. A headlamp system as recited in claim 1 further comprising a transparent partition located between said first and second light sources and said lens, a portion of said partition forming said opaque light shield.

3. A headlamp system as recited in claim 1 wherein said first and second reflectors have dichroic coatings.

4. A headlamp system as recited in claim 1 wherein said magnification is less than about 4.

5. A headlamp system for an automotive vehicle having a longitudinal axis, comprising:

an image surface;

a housing;

a first lighting element mounted within said housing, said first lighting element having,

a first light source having substantially elliptical reflector directing light to a spread light zone on said image surface; and

a second lighting element mounted within said housing, said second lighting element having,

a second light source having a filament mounted in an axial direction with respect to said longitudinal axis;

a second reflector mounted within said housing adjacent to said first reflector having a generally elliptical shape having a first focus, a second focus, and a magnification with respect to said second light source filament, said first reflector directing light to a high intensity zone on said image surface;

a light shield having a generally planar surface mounted substantially normal to said longitudinal axis substantially at said second focus; and

an aspheric lens having an aperture, wherein said second reflector magnification of said filament at said lens defines a light image substantially equal in size to an opening of said aperture.

6. A headlamp system as recited in claim 5 further comprising a transparent partition located between said first and second light sources and said lens, a portion of said partition forming said opaque light shield.

7. A headlamp system as recited in claim 5 wherein said first and second reflectors have dichroic coatings.

8. A headlamp system as recited in claim 5 wherein said magnification is less than about 4.

9. A headlamp system as recited in claim 5 wherein said housing is comprised of plastic.