Headlight for a vehicle

• US 7,281,823 B2
• Filed: 03/16/2004
• Issued: 10/16/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Daimler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Original Assignee: Daimler Chrysler Company LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Inventors: Moisel, Joerg
• Primary Examiner(s): LEE, Y MY QUACH
• Application Number:
  US10/801,349
• Publication Number:
  US 20040202005A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,309 Days
• Field of Search: 362/96, 362/294, 362/345, 362/373, 362/545, 362/547, 362/800
• US Class Current: 362/294
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/13 Ultraviolet light; Infrared light
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 45/10 Protection of lighting devices cooling of lighting devices F21S45/40; waterproofing of lighting devices F21S45/50
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 45/33 specially adapted for headlamps
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 45/43 using gas
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 45/48 with means for conducting heat from the inside to the outside of the lighting devices, e.g. with fins on the outer surface of the lighting device
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/773 the planes containing the fins or blades having the direction of the light emitting axis
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/80 with pins or wires
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/0008 providing for indirect lighting
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

The invention relates to a headlight 1 in particular based on the projection principle. The headlight has a semiconductor light source 4, which is arranged at the focal point of the reflector 2 and is connected to a cooling element 5. This cooling element 5 extends from the semiconductor light source 4 to the transparent lens 3, through which the light that is reflected by the reflector 2 is emitted, passes through the transparent lens 3, and projects beyond it. This arrangement of a semiconductor light source 4, a cooling element 5 and a transparent lens 3 ensures that the light source 4 is cooled effectively. In addition, the arrangement and the form of the cooling element 5 ensure that the cooling element 5 does not shadow, or only slightly shadows, the reflected light. This leads to a high light yield from the headlight 1 according to the invention, and to a long life.

Claims

1. A headlight for a vehicle, having

a reflector having a focal point and a center axis,

a semiconductor light source in the area of the focal point of the reflector,

a transparent lens, and

a metal cooling element,

wherein the cooling element firmly connected to the light source both mechanically and thermally, extends from the light source to the lens and is fixed in the lens by projecting into or passing through the lens.

2. The headlight according to claim 1, wherein the cooling element extends along the center axis of the reflector.

3. The headlight according to claim 1, wherein the cooling element has an element in the form of a rod.

4. The headlight according to claim 1, wherein the cooling element has one or more essentially flat elements.

5. The headlight according to claim 4, wherein the one or more flat elements are arranged running radially from the center axis.

6. The headlight according to claim 5, wherein two or more radially running flat elements are provided, and are arranged rotationally symmetrically about the center axis.

7. The headlight according to claim 5, wherein 3, 4 or 5 radially running flat elements are provided and are arranged in the form of a star.

8. The headlight according to claim 4, wherein the two or more flat elements are mechanically connected to the reflector.

9. The headlight according to claim 1, wherein the cooling element is partially or completely mirrored.

10. The headlight according to claim 1, wherein the cooling element is composed of aluminum, copper, silver, iron, or an alloy using such metals.

11. The headlight according to claim 1, wherein the cooling element is not the same color as the reflector.

12. The headlight according to claim 1, wherein the cooling element substantially does not project beyond the lens.

13. The headlight according to claim 12, wherein a flat heat sink is arranged on the side of the lens which faces away from the light source and is thermally connected to the cooling element.

14. The headlight according to claim 1, wherein the light source represents an array comprising two or more individual light sources, which is arranged on a mount thermally conductively connected to the cooling element.

15. A headlight for a vehicle, having

a reflector having a focal point,

a light source in the area of the focal point of the reflector, and

a transparent lens,

wherein the light source is a semiconductor light source which emits infrared radiation, and

wherein a cooling element is provided which is thermally connected to the light source, extends from the light source to the lens and projects into the lens or passes through it, wherein the cooling element is sealed from the lens by means of an elastic sealing agent.

16. A headlight for a vehicle, having

a reflector having a focal point,

a light source in the area of the focal point of the reflector, and

a transparent lens,

wherein the light source is a semiconductor light source which emits infrared radiation, and

wherein a cooling element is provided which is thermally connected to the light source, extends from the light source to the lens and projects into the lens or passes through it, wherein the power supply for the light source is provided via the cooling element.