Head light system

• US 7,188,980 B2
• Filed: 11/10/2003
• Issued: 03/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: Kodaira, Shigeru, Kondo, Tetsuya, Ase, Yukimi
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Shea; Sandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ton; Anabel
• Application Number:
  US10/703,554
• Publication Number:
  US 20040145898A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,219 Days
• Field of Search: 362/548, 362/549, 362/544, 362/543
• US Class Current: 362/476
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0041 of several lamps in relation to each other
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0064 with provision for maintenance, e.g. changing the light bulb swivel arrangements B60Q1/0425
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 6/024 Switching between high and low beam arrangement of switches B62J6/16
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 6/026 characterised by the structure, e.g. casings
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 6/027 Supporting means therefor, e.g. mounting brackets
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/192 Details of lamp holders, terminals or connectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 45/10 Protection of lighting devices cooling of lighting devices F21S45/40; waterproofing of lighting devices F21S45/50

Abstract

To provide a head light system comprising first and second bulbs, wherein a coupler can be attached and detached smoothly and the appearance can be made favorable. A first movable-side coupler and a second movable-side coupler are attached to and detached from a first fixed-side coupler for a first bulb and a second fixed-side coupler for a second bulb, respectively. The first fixed-side coupler and the second fixed-side coupler are disposed substantially in the same plane. The attaching and detaching directions of the first and second movable-side couplers are substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal directions of the first bulb and the second bulb. The first fixed-side coupler is so disposed that the second fixed-side coupler is not located in the attaching and detaching direction of the first movable-side coupler attached to and detached from the first fixed-side coupler.

Claims

1. A head light system comprising:

a first bulb;

a second bulb;

a first fixed-side coupler attached to said first bulb; and

a second fixed-side coupler attached to said second bulb;

wherein said first fixed-side coupler and said second fixed-side coupler are so disposed that the attaching and detaching directions of a first movable-side coupler and a second movable-side coupler respectively attached to and detached from said first fixed-side coupler and said second fixed-side coupler are substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of said first bulb and said second bulb and that said first fixed-side coupler and said second fixed-side coupler are located substantially in the same plane;

said first fixed-side coupler is so disposed that said second fixed-side coupler is not located in the attaching and detaching direction of said first movable-side coupler attached to and detached from said first fixed-side coupler; and

wherein an attaching and detaching direction of said second moveable-side coupler to and from said second fixed-side coupler is not located in an attaching and detaching direction of said first moveable-side coupler to and from said first fixed-side coupler.

3. The head light system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first fixed-side coupler and said second fixed-side coupler are disposed adjacent to each other.

4. The head light system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first movable-side coupler includes latch portions for mating with a cutout for securing the first movable-side coupler relative to first fixed-side coupler.

5. The head light system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said second movable-side coupler includes latch portions for mating with a cutout for securing the second movable-side coupler relative to second fixed-side coupler.

2. The head light system comprising:

a first bulb;

a second bulb;

a first fixed-side coupler attached to said first bulb; and

a second fixed-side coupler attached to said second bulb;

wherein said first fixed-side coupler and said second fixed-side coupler are so disposed that the attaching and detaching directions of a first movable-side coupler and a second movable-side coupler respectively attached to and detached from said first fixed-side coupler and said second fixed-side coupler are substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of said first bulb and said second bulb and that said first fixed-side coupler and said second fixed-side coupler are located substantially in the same plane;

wherein said first fixed-side coupler is so disposed that said second fixed-side coupler is not located in the attaching and detaching direction of said first movable-side coupler attached to and detached from said first fixed-side coupler; and

wherein said first fixed-side coupler and said second fixed-side coupler are disposed on substantially vertical straight lines in side view, the attaching and detaching direction of said first moveable-side coupler to and from said first fixed-side coupler is at a fixed angle against the vertical direction as viewed from the back side, and the attaching and detaching direction of said second moveable-side coupler to and from said second fixed-side coupler is substantially the vertical direction.

6. The head light system as set forth in claim 2, wherein said first fixed-side coupler and said second fixed-side coupler are disposed adjacent to each other.

7. The head light system as set forth in claim 2, wherein a boundary wall is disposed at the boundary between a first reflector for reflecting light generated by said first bulb and a second reflector for reflecting light generated by said second bulb, and said boundary wall is provided with a cutout.

8. The head light system as set forth in claim 6, wherein said first bulb is for a low beam, and said second bulb is for a high beam.

9. A head light system comprising:

a first bulb;

a second bulb;

a first fixed-side coupler attached to said first bulb; and

a second fixed-side coupler attached to said second bulb;

wherein said first fixed-side coupler and said second fixed-side coupler are so disposed that the attaching and detaching directions of a first movable-side coupler and a second movable-side coupler respectively attached to and detached from said first fixed-side coupler and said second fixed-side coupler are substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of said first bulb and said second bulb and that said first fixed-side coupler and said second fixed-side coupler are located substantially in the same plane;

wherein said first fixed-side coupler is so disposed that said second fixed-side coupler is not located in the attaching and detaching direction of said first movable-side coupler attached to and detached from said first fixed-side coupler; and

wherein said first fixed-side coupler is arranged at an angle α

relative to said second fixed-side coupler.

10. The head light system as set forth in claim 9, wherein wiring extending from said first fixed-side coupler extends in a direction to be displaced and out of alignment with the second fixed-side coupler.

11. A headlamp system for vehicle, comprising:

a bulb;

a reflector having a reflective surface for reflecting light generated by said bulb to a predetermined emitting direction;

a case so disposed as to envelop a rear side portion of said reflector and supporting said reflector;

a harness disposed between said reflector and said case and electrically connected to said bulb; and

a heat shield plate operatively positioned for covering a rear portion of said reflector between said reflector and said harness,

wherein a gap is provided between said reflector and said heat shield plate.

12. The headlamp system for vehicle as set forth in claim 11, wherein said reflector comprises a base portion for mounting said bulb thereto, and said heat shield plate comprises a hole for engagement with the outer circumference of said base portion.

13. The headlamp system for vehicle as set forth in claim 11, wherein said heat shield is disposed between the reflector and the case for protecting the case and the harness.

14. The headlamp system for vehicle as set forth in claim 11, wherein said heat shield is in contact with said reflector at a fitting portion and is spaced from a rear side of the reflector at portions adjacent thereto.

16. The headlamp system for vehicle as set forth in claim 12, wherein said heat shield plate is formed of a heat-resistant rubber.

15. A headlamp system for vehicle, comprising:

a bulb;

a reflector having a reflective surface for reflecting light generated by said bulb to a predetermined emitting direction;

a case so disposed as to envelop a rear side portion of said reflector and supporting said reflector;

a harness disposed between said reflector and said case and electrically connected to said bulb; and

a heat shield plate operatively positioned for covering a rear portion of said reflector between said reflector and said harness,

wherein said heat shield plate is formed of a heat-resistant rubber.

17. A headlamp system for vehicle, comprising:

a bulb;

a reflector having a reflective surface for reflecting light generated by said bulb to a predetermined emitting direction;

a case so disposed as to envelop a rear side portion of said reflector and supporting said reflector;

a harness disposed between said reflector and said case and electrically connected to said bulb; and

a heat shield plate operatively positioned for covering a rear portion of said reflector between said reflector and said harness,

wherein said heat shield is displaced away from the reflector by a predetermined distance relative to said reflector.