Dual function headlight for a motor vehicle with a single light source and fixed optics
First Claim
1. A headlight for a motor vehicle, for travel along a road defining an axis of the road which is the general direction of travel of the vehicle, the headlight comprising a light source and optical reflector adjacent to the light source for producing a beam which is generally spread widthwise with respect to the axis of the road, wherein said optical reflector has a continuous reflective surface that creates in said beam at least two distinct zones of maximum light intensities, wherein said optical reflector has a central axis passing through the light source in the beam direction, and is asymmetrical along a plane on the central axis so said distinct zones have different angular offsets with at least one distinct zone located on the outer edge of said reflective surface.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A motor vehicle headlight has a light source cooperating with optical means to produce a beam which is generally spread widthwise. The optical means, such as a reflector, are adapted to produce in the beam two separate zones of maximum light intensity. The headlight gives two alternative functions, such as a short range lighting function for negotiating bends, and a foglight function, without the need for any movable optical components. The disclosure is also directed to a pair of vehicle lights so adapted, one on the right and one on the left of the vehicle.
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Citations
11 Claims
- 1. A headlight for a motor vehicle, for travel along a road defining an axis of the road which is the general direction of travel of the vehicle, the headlight comprising a light source and optical reflector adjacent to the light source for producing a beam which is generally spread widthwise with respect to the axis of the road, wherein said optical reflector has a continuous reflective surface that creates in said beam at least two distinct zones of maximum light intensities, wherein said optical reflector has a central axis passing through the light source in the beam direction, and is asymmetrical along a plane on the central axis so said distinct zones have different angular offsets with at least one distinct zone located on the outer edge of said reflective surface.
- 8. A pair of headlights for a motor vehicle for travel along a road defining an axis of the road such that travel of the vehicle is substantially along the axis of the road, the said pair of headlights comprising a left hand light and a right hand light, wherein a first one of the said lights is adapted to produce a first beam generally spread widthwise with respect to the axis of the road and having a first zone of maximum light intensity offset from the axis of the road in a first lateral direction and a second zone of maximum light intensity situated close to the axis of the road, and the other said light is adapted to produce a second beam generally spread widthwise and having a fist zone of maximum light intensity offset from the axis of the road in a second lateral direction opposite to the said first lateral direction and a second zone of maximum light intensity situated close to the axis of the road, wherein each said light includes an optical reflector with a continuous reflective surface that has a central axis passing through the light source in the beam direction, and is asymmetrical along a plane on the central axis so the first and second zones have different angular offsets with at least one of said zones located on the outer edge of said reflective surface.
Specification