Lighting module for a vehicle headlight

• US 6,966,675 B2
• Filed: 12/16/2003
• Issued: 11/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Valeo Vision (Valeo SE)
• Original Assignee: Valeo Vision (Valeo SE)
• Inventors: Albou, Pierre
• Primary Examiner(s): Sember, Thomas M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cranson, Jr., James W
• Application Number:
  US10/738,111
• Publication Number:
  US 20040130907A1
• Time in Patent Office: 707 Days
• Field of Search: 362516-518, 362296-298, 362/341, 362/346
• US Class Current: 362/298
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/148 the main emission direction of the LED being perpendicular to the optical axis
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/321 the reflector being a surface of revolution or a planar surface, e.g. truncated
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/365 successively reflecting the light
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/43 characterised by the shape thereof
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 13/10 the elements being reflectors and screens
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

The present invention is concerned with a lighting module for a vehicle headlight for giving a light beam of the cut-off type, particularly one which is adapted to use with light-emitting diodes. The module has a second reflector having a substantially elliptical surface for reflecting light rays and at least one light source arranged close to the first focus of the first reflector. The module also includes a second reflector for producing the cut-off or dipped output beam, the focus of this reflector being arranged close to the second focus of the first reflector. The module further includes a third reflector or bender, having a reflective top face and being situated between the first and second reflectors. This third reflector has a cut-off edge arranged close to the second focus of the first reflector, whereby to form the cut-off within the light beam. The light source is a light-emitting diode.

Claims

1. A lighting module for a vehicle headlight for producing a light beam of the cut-off type, the module including:

a first reflector having a substantially elliptical surface for reflecting light rays,

at least one light source arranged in the vicinity of the first focus of the said first reflector,

a second reflector for producing the cut-off output beam, the focus of the said second reflector being located in the vicinity of the second focus of the said first reflector, and

a third reflector that is a bender, the upper face of which is reflective, the said bender being located between the said first reflector and the said second reflector and having a cut-off edge, and which is arranged in the vicinity of the second focus of the said first reflector, whereby to form the cut-off in the light beam,

the light source being a light emitting diode.

2. A module according to claim 1, wherein the said second reflector has a substantially parabolic surface for reflecting light rays.

3. A module according to claim 1, wherein the said second reflector is a reflector of the complex surface type for reflecting light rays.

4. A module according to claim 1, wherein the optical axis of the first reflector defines an angle with the optical axis of the said second reflector, whereby the said first reflector avoids intersection with light rays reflected by the said second reflector.

5. A module according to claim 1, wherein the said cut-off edge has a profile which is substantially identical to the focal line of the said second reflector in a plane which contains the optical axis of the said second reflector and which is at right angles to the plane defined by the optical axis of the said first reflector and the optical axis of the said light source.

6. A module according to claim 1, wherein the said cut-off edge is straight.

7. A module according to claim 1, wherein the substantially elliptical surface of the said first reflector is defined by an angular sector of a body which is substantially a body of revolution about the optical axis of the said first reflector, and wherein the said angular sector extends vertically above the reflective face of the said third reflector.

8. A module according to claim 1, including a plurality of light sources close to each other, which are generally aligned in a direction substantially at right angles to the optical axis of the first reflector.

9. A module according to claim 1, including means for displacing the said third reflector along the optical axis of the said second reflector.

10. A method of making a module according to claim 1, comprising the step of making the said first, second and third reflectors in one piece.

11. A method according to claim 10, wherein the said step comprises moulding the said piece in a material chosen from the group consisting of a thermoplastic material, a thermosetting material, and an injected metal.

12. A method according to claim 10, wherein the said step comprises press-forming the said piece.

13. A headlight for producing a regulation passing beam, the headlight including a plurality of lighting modules according to claim 1, the said modules being substantially identical to each other in structure and being arranged substantially parallel to each other.