Motor vehicle headlight module

• US 4,772,989 A
• Filed: 02/19/1987
• Issued: 09/20/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: GTE Products Corporation
• Original Assignee: GTE Products Corporation
• Inventors: Haraden, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Hart, Douglas
• Application Number:
  US06/016,616
• Time in Patent Office: 579 Days
• Field of Search: 362/61, 362/80, 362/226, 362/263
• US Class Current: 362/519
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/198 Snap-fit attachments
• 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 45/50 Waterproofing

Abstract

A motor vehicle headlight module wherein the reflector includes a dual chambered protruding rear portion, a pair of conductive terminals securedly positioned within this rear portion, a contact member including an insulative body portion and a pair of electrical contacts positioned thereon and a lighting capsule (e.g., low wattage tungsten halogen) designed for being initially secured to the contact member such that this assembly (capsule-contact member) can then be precisely oriented within a first of the two chambers of the reflector. During such positioning, the contacts of the contact member are electrically connected (e.g., laser welded) to the pair of conductive terminals, respectively. An external connector (e.g., forming part of the vehicle'"'"'s electrical circuitry) may then be positioned within the second chamber and thus electrically coupled to the precisely oriented capsule, said connection being established through the positioned conductive terminals. The invention is of extremely compact design and, in one embodiment, possessed an overall height of only about two inches and a width of about 2.5 inches, such that when utilized with other, similar modules in a headlighting assembly, resulted in an overall assembly having a relatively small total forward area. Greater aerodynamic capabilities are thus possible for any motor vehicle utilizing such an assembly.

Claims

1. A motor vehicle headlight module comprising:

a reflector including a forward lens member secured thereto or forming part thereof, said reflector including a protruding rear portion having an aperture located therein and defining first and second chambers there;

first and second electrically conductive terminals securedly positioned within said protruding rear portion of said reflector, each of said terminals including a first segment located relative to said first chamber and a second segment projecting within said second chamber for being connected to an external connector, said first segments disposed in a first plane within said reflector which plane is perpendicular to an imaginary line extending from said aperture toward said forward lens, to form an optical axis;

a contact member including an electrically insulative body portion and first and second electrical contacts spacedly positioned on said body portion in a second plane, said contact member securedly positioned within said first chamber of said protruding rear portion of said reflector in a predetermined, aligned manner with said first plane co-planar with said second plane such that said first and second electrical contacts are electrically connected to said first and second electrically conductive terminals; and

a lighting capsule including an envelope and a pair of conductive lead-in wires projecting therefrom, each of said lead-in wires connected to a respective one of said electrical contacts of said contact member such that said envelope is positioned at a pre-established distance from said contacts, said capsule located substantially within said aperture of said reflector and extending within said reflector relative to the reflecting surfaces thereof.

2. The motor vehicle headlight module according to claim 1 wherein said reflector is plastic material.

3. The motor vehicle headlight module according to claim 1 wherein said lens is secured to said reflector, said lens comprised of glass material.

4. The motor vehicle headlight module according to claim 1 wherein said first and second chambers within said protruding rear portion of said reflector are separated by a common wall, each of said conductive terminals passing through said wall.

5. The motor vehicle headlight module according to claim 1 wherein said body portion of said contact member is comprised of plastic material and each of said electrical contacts is metallic.

6. The motor vehicle headlight module according to claim 1 wherein said plastic material of said body portion is a thermoplastic and said metallic material of said contacts is a copper alloy.

7. The motor vehicle headlight module according to claim 1 wherein said lighting capsule is a low wattage tungsten halogen capsule.

8. The motor vehicle headlight module according to claim 1 further including a quantity of sealant located within said first chamber of said protruding rear portion of said reflector, said sealant substantially covering said contact member and providing a seal for said first chamber.

9. The motor vehicle headlight module according to claim 1 wherein said sealant is an epoxy material.

10. The motor vehicle headlight of claim 1 wherein said first segments of said first and second electrically conductive terminals are substantially flat and said electrical contacts are each provided with a segment thereof which is substantially flat and lies within said second plane whereby with said first and second planes co-planar, said first segments may be moved relative to said contact segments along said planes to a plurality of positions wherein said first and second electrical contacts remain electrically connected to said first and second electrically conductive terminals.