Clear lens illumination device for vehicles

Abstract

A lighting device (1) for a vehicle includes a cup-shaped housing (2) that houses at least one reflector (3) operatively associated with a light source (4), and a transparent lens (5) that closes the front opening (6) of the housing and allows the reflector (3) to be seen through the transparent lens; wherein a baffle (10) is provided inside the housing (2) that faces at least partially the reflector (3), is substantially parallel to the optical axis (A) of the lighting device, and is defined by a reflective surface (11) in the direction toward the reflector (3), the reflective surface having protrusions (14) uniformly distributed thereon, such as being textured or grooved.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This patent application claims priority to Italian Patent Application No. 102020000000979, filed on January 20, 2020, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to a clear lens illumination device for vehicles, particularly a headlight for vehicles (such as motor vehicles or motorcycles), wherein a cup-shaped housing or body houses a reflector that is operatively associated with a light source and is positioned in front of a lens or cover that encloses the cup-shaped housing or body so that it is visible from the outside, the lens or cover being completely transparent. Background Technology

[0004] As is well known, vehicle headlights include: a cup-shaped housing that houses at least one reflector operatively associated with a light source; and a transparent element, cover, or lens configured to close the front opening of the cup-shaped housing. An example of this type of vehicle headlight is described in Honda Motor Co., Ltd.'s EP3594564.

[0005] In this type of headlight, the reflectors (or multiple reflectors arranged side-by-side in the case of a cup-shaped body or housing that houses multiple light sources for providing different illuminations, such as low beam, high beam, etc.) can be seen from the outside entirely through a transparent element or lens that is typically non-optically functional and is set to close the cup-shaped body. Furthermore, the cup-shaped body and the lens or transparent element that closes its front opening (through which the entire interior of the cup-shaped body can be seen) are usually made of synthetic plastic material.

[0006] In this type of headlight, which is increasingly used for technical and aesthetic reasons, there is a problem of preventing damage to the internal parts of the headlight or the lens itself from sunlight. When the vehicle is parked on the road and especially in well-lit conditions, sunlight can pass through the transparent element or cover or lens into the interior of the cup-shaped body, reach the reflector (or one or more reflectors), and be unpredictably and persistently reflected by the reflector onto the internal parts of the cup-shaped body and / or the transparent element or lens, causing localized "burning". This burning is extremely unsightly because it can be seen from the outside of the cup-shaped body and, in the most severe cases, can lead to a decrease in the headlight's lighting efficiency.

[0007] The same problem can also occur in a lamp that has an internal reflector that can be seen from the outside of the lamp through its clear lens (i.e., completely transparent and without optical function).

[0008] To date, the problem has been addressed by using materials that are not damaged by heat (such as glass lenses and metal coatings), but these materials are expensive, sometimes complex to implement, and increase the weight of the headlights or lamps, thereby increasing the vehicle's fuel consumption.

[0009] US20190041024 does not address this issue. In fact, it relates to the internal arrangement of a headlight designed to prevent occupants of a third-party vehicle from being dazzled by the headlights being switched on during passage. Specifically, according to the document, a screen that is not necessarily reflective (US20190041024 makes no mention of this detail) is equipped with a scattering portion facing the rear of the reflector and surrounding a corresponding through-hole in the screen, and above this through-hole (and therefore above the screen) is a corresponding light source supported by a substrate. Summary of the Invention

[0010] The purpose of this invention is to eliminate the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a vehicle lighting device in a simple, effective and inexpensive manner, the vehicle lighting device being equipped with a clear lens and at least one internal reflector that can be seen through the clear lens, which is not easily damaged by reflected sunlight.

[0011] Therefore, the present invention relates to a lighting device for a vehicle, particularly a headlight for a vehicle, which is equipped with a clear closed lens and at least one internal reflector that can be seen from the outside through the clear lens.

[0012] In particular, the lighting device according to the invention includes a cup-shaped housing or body that houses at least one reflector operatively associated with at least one light source, and a transparent element or lens that closes the front opening of the cup-shaped housing or body and at least one reflector is visible from the outside of the vehicle through the transparent element or lens.

[0013] At least one reflector is configured to deflect a beam of light generated by at least one light source through a transparent lens and along the optical axis of the illumination device, which is oriented parallel to the vehicle's direction of travel during use.

[0014] The lighting device also includes a baffle that is configured to at least partially face at least one reflector and be substantially parallel to the optical axis.

[0015] The baffle is defined in the direction toward the reflector by a reflective surface having protrusions evenly distributed thereon, such as having grooves or ridges.

[0016] The reflective surface of the baffle is preferably flat, with raised or grooved surfaces.

[0017] Furthermore, the baffle and reflector are integrally formed as a single piece, thus creating a flat protrusion that projects axially from the reflector in a direction substantially parallel to the optical axis.

[0018] Preferably, the baffle is not only integrally formed with the reflector as a single piece, but also forms an acute angle with it.

[0019] In addition, the baffle has a flat plate shape with a rear end that faces the reflector and is integrally connected to the reflector as a single piece, forming the aforementioned acute angle with it.

[0020] In addition, the front end of the plate facing the transparent lens is at least partially facing the reflector, but is separated from the rear end and the light source by a stepped portion.

[0021] The lighting device of the present invention is preferably composed of a vehicle headlight, which includes a frame element disposed inside a cup-shaped housing or body.

[0022] The reflector defines the rear and bottom walls of the frame element.

[0023] Conversely, the baffle defines the front portion of the upper wall of the frame element that faces the transparent lens.

[0024] The upper wall is integrally connected to the reflector as a single piece.

[0025] Specifically, the rear portion of the upper wall is connected to the front portion via a stepped portion and supports a printed circuit board equipped with at least one light source, the emission direction of which is substantially perpendicular to the printed circuit board.

[0026] The printed circuit board is set to be basically horizontal and basically parallel to the optical axis.

[0027] Preferably, the frame element is equipped with a plurality of reflectors arranged side by side and together defining the rear wall and bottom wall of the frame element.

[0028] The reflectors are separated from each other by corresponding ribs of the frame element, which integrally connect the corresponding lateral edges of the reflectors to the upper wall of the frame element as a single piece.

[0029] The upper wall of the frame element also defines a single baffle, which is oriented to face all reflectors through its reflective surface.

[0030] The reflective surface of the baffle is provided with protrusions that are evenly distributed on the reflective surface of the baffle facing the reflector and are selected from a combination of microprisms, embossing, knurling, grooves, and holograms.

[0031] Finally, the present invention also relates to a vehicle that includes a lighting device as described above, which is a headlight or lamp. Attached Figure Description

[0032] Other features and advantages of the invention will become clearer from the following description of non-limiting embodiments of the invention given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0033] - Figure 1 This is a schematic three-quarter axonometric view of the front of a vehicle headlight without a front lens, manufactured according to the teachings of the present invention, as viewed from above.

[0034] - Figure 2 It is manufactured according to the present invention. Figure 1 A schematic, enlarged three-quarters axonometric view of the front of the vehicle's headlight components, viewed from above.

[0035] - Figure 3 It is along Figure 1 A schematic sectional side view of the vehicle's headlights, taken from plane III-III; and

[0036] - Figure 4 From Figure 2 The diagram shows a schematic three-quarters axonometric view of the front portion of the component, and also schematically illustrates the operation of the invention. Detailed Implementation

[0037] Reference Figure 1 Reference numeral 1 generally indicates a lighting device for a vehicle, which in the non-limiting embodiment shown herein constitutes a vehicle headlight.

[0038] Reference will be made here and below, and in the following non-limiting description. Figure 1 The invention pertains to vehicle headlights, but does not lose its generality; it applies to lighting devices (headlights or lamps) for vehicles equipped with clear external lenses.

[0039] The headlight 1 includes a cup-shaped housing or body 2 that houses at least one reflector 3.

[0040] The reflector 3 is operationally associated with at least one light source 4, which is preferably composed of an LED or a group of LEDs that may have different colors.

[0041] The headlight 1 also includes a transparent element or lens (or cover) 5 ( Figure 3 ), its closed cup-shaped shell or the front opening 6 of the body 2.

[0042] The front opening 6 is configured such that at least one reflector 3 can be seen from outside the vehicle (i.e., from outside the cup-shaped body or housing 2) through the front opening and the transparent lens 5 (a clear lens, i.e., without optical function).

[0043] At least one reflector 3 is configured to cause the light beam F generated by at least one light source 4 to travel along the optical axis A of the lighting device 1 by reflection. Figure 3 The optical axis A is deflected through the transparent lens 5 and, in use, is oriented parallel to the vehicle's (known and not shown) direction of travel, typically horizontal.

[0044] exist Figures 1 to 4 In the preferred, non-limiting embodiment shown, the lighting device 1 comprises a vehicle headlight, which includes a frame element 7, which in Figure 2 and Figure 4 It is shown in more detail and is separated from housing 2.

[0045] The frame element 7 is disposed inside the cup-shaped housing or the main body 2, and according to a preferred aspect of the invention, at least one reflector 3 defines at least a portion of the rear wall 8 and at least a portion of the bottom wall 9 of the frame element 7.

[0046] The lighting device 1 also includes a baffle 10, which is configured to at least partially face at least one reflector 3 and is configured to be substantially parallel to the optical axis A.

[0047] Specifically, the plane containing the baffle 10 is parallel to the plane containing the optical axis A and is substantially parallel to the bottom wall 9 and the horizontal plane.

[0048] The baffle 10 is defined by surface 11 in the direction toward the reflector 3. Figure 3 and Figure 4 According to one aspect of the invention, the surface 11 is reflective and simultaneously has protrusions 14 uniformly distributed thereon. Figure 4 ).

[0049] For example, the reflective surface 11 has grooves or ridges.

[0050] In the non-limiting example shown, the baffle 10 defines the front portion 12 of the upper wall 13 of the frame element 7 on the side facing the transparent lens 5. In other words, the baffle 10 is formed only by the front portion 12 of the upper wall 13 of the frame element 7, and for this reason, the baffle 10 does not face the rear portion of the reflector 3 that is adjacent to the rear wall 8, which does not constitute or form part of the rear wall 8.

[0051] Basically, the baffle 10 only faces the front part of the reflector 3 that is adjacent to or forms part of the bottom wall 9.

[0052] The upper wall 13 is integrally connected to at least one reflector 3 as a single piece.

[0053] In the non-limiting example shown, the frame element 7 is equipped with a plurality of reflectors 3 arranged side by side and together defining the rear wall 8 and the bottom wall 9 of the frame element 7.

[0054] The reflectors 3 (e.g., three in number in the non-limiting example shown) are separated from each other by corresponding ribs 15 of the frame element 7, which integrally connect the corresponding opposite lateral edges of the reflectors 3 to the upper wall 13 of the frame element 7.

[0055] In this way, each reflector 3 can perform a specific optical function, for example, when positioned on the outside of the vehicle or "externally mounted". Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 4 The rightmost reflector 3 is used as a low beam headlight, high beam headlight, or turn signal.

[0056] In this embodiment, the upper wall 13 of the frame element 7 defines a single baffle 10, which is oriented such that it faces all reflectors 3 through its reflective surface 11.

[0057] The reflective surface 11 of the baffle 10 is preferably a flat surface with raised texture or grooves.

[0058] The baffle 10 is integrally formed as a single piece with at least one reflector 3 (in the example shown, with all three reflectors 3 side by side), thus acting as a flat protrusion projecting axially from the (multiple) reflectors 3 in a direction substantially parallel to the optical axis A. In other words, the baffle 10 cantilevered from the reflector 3 at the front (i.e., cantilevered toward the lens 5), particularly with respect to the front edge of the reflector 3 that defines the bottom wall 9 at the front and is disposed adjacent to the lens 5.

[0059] Therefore, the baffle 10 is preferably integrally formed as a single piece with at least one reflector 3 / all reflectors 3 and forms an acute angle, i.e. less than 90°, with each of the at least one reflector 3 / all reflectors 3.

[0060] The baffle 10 preferably has a flat plate shape.

[0061] The flat plate defining the baffle 10 has a rear end defined by its rear portion 16.

[0062] The rear portion or rear end 16 faces each reflector 3 and is integrally connected to the reflector(s) 3 as a single piece, forming an acute angle with it.

[0063] The plate defining the baffle 10 also has a front end defined by the front portion 12 of the upper wall 13.

[0064] The front end or front portion 12 faces the transparent lens 5 and confronts the reflectors(s) 3, such that the ideal vertical line passing through it does not intersect the reflectors 3, but is positioned in front of them, facing the lens 5. However, according to a feasible embodiment not shown, the front end or front portion 12 cannot protrude in a cantilevered manner relative to the reflectors 3, in which case the aforementioned ideal vertical line passing through the end 12 intersects the reflectors 3.

[0065] According to another aspect of the invention, the rear portion of the upper wall 13 defined by the rear end portion 16 is connected to the front portion or the front end portion 12 via a stepped portion 18 and supports printed circuit boards 19, in the example shown, three printed circuit boards 19, one for each reflector 3.

[0066] Each printed circuit board 19 is provided with at least one light source 4, the light source 4 ( Figure 3 The emission direction D is basically perpendicular to the corresponding printed circuit board 19.

[0067] Thus, according to one aspect of the invention, the baffle 10 and the light source 4 are separated by a stepped portion 18, which is configured such that the light source 4 is positioned below the baffle 10.

[0068] Each printed circuit board 19 can be arranged substantially horizontally and substantially parallel to the optical axis A, or, as in the preferred embodiment shown, can be arranged obliquely relative to the optical axis A to form an acute angle with the baffle 10 at the stepped portion 18, pointing downwards and toward the lens 5.

[0069] The stepped portion 18 sets the light source 4 and the associated printed circuit board 19 below the baffle 10, that is, closer to the bottom wall 9 than the baffle 10.

[0070] The protrusions 14, which are uniformly distributed on the reflective surface 11 of the baffle 10 facing at least one or more reflectors 3, are selected from a combination of microprisms, embossing, knurling, grooves, holograms, etc., i.e., micron-sized protrusions that can disperse light incident on the reflective surface 11 to prevent it from being reflected toward a uniquely defined point.

[0071] Finally, it should be noted that the present invention also relates to a vehicle, such as a motor vehicle or motorcycle, that includes a lighting device 1 (headlight or lamp) made in accordance with what has been described so far.

[0072] Reference Figure 4 When the vehicle is parked outdoors, any sunlight S that enters the cup-shaped body or housing 2 through the clear lens 5 and the corresponding opening 6 and reaches the reflector 3 will generally be reflected backward toward the opening 6 and / or toward the side wall of the cup-shaped body or housing 2.

[0073] However, according to the present invention, in addition to this and most importantly, due to the presence of the stepped portion 18, the light rays S are intercepted by the baffle 10 before reaching these targets. This prevents burning on the lens 5 and the externally visible exposed portions of the cup-shaped body or housing 2.

[0074] At the same time, although the baffle 10 is made of molded synthetic plastic, like the lens 5, the cup-shaped body 2 and the entire frame element 7, it will not be damaged because the reflected sunlight incident on it is reflected to the outside by the reflective surface 11 (the reflective surface 11 disperses the sunlight in different directions through the protrusions 14).

[0075] Similarly, during normal use, when each light source 4 is activated and generates a beam F, and the beam F is subsequently reflected outward by each reflector 3 through the clear lens 5, the protrusion 14 prevents any abnormal light generated by the light source 4 from forming so-called "parasitic light", thus always ensuring the maximum lighting efficiency of the lighting device 1.

[0076] Therefore, all the objectives of the present invention have been achieved.

Claims

1. A lighting device (1) for a vehicle, comprising: A cup-shaped housing or body (2) for accommodating at least one reflector (3) operationally associated with at least one light source (4); The lighting device includes a transparent lens or element that closes the front opening (6) of a cup-shaped housing or body, and at least one reflector (3) is visible from the outside of the vehicle through the transparent lens or element. The at least one reflector is configured to deflect a beam (F) generated by at least one light source through the transparent lens and along the optical axis (A) of the lighting device, which in use is oriented parallel to the vehicle's direction of travel. The lighting device also includes a baffle (10) configured to at least partially face the at least one reflector (3) and be substantially parallel to the optical axis (A). The baffle (10) is defined in the direction toward the reflector (3) by a reflective surface (11) having... The frame element (7) has protrusions (14) evenly distributed thereon. The baffle (10) defines the front portion (12) of the upper wall (13) of the frame element (7) facing the transparent lens (5). The upper wall (13) is integrally connected to at least one reflector (3) as a single piece. The front portion (12) of the upper wall (13) of the frame element (7) is separated from the rear portion (16) of the printed circuit board (19) on which at least one light source (4) is supported by a step portion (18), such that the light source (4) is also separated from the front portion (12) of the upper wall (13) by the step portion (18) and the light source (4) is positioned below the baffle (10).

2. The lighting device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The reflective surface (11) of the baffle (10) is a flat surface with raised or grooved texture.

3. The lighting device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The baffle (10) is integrally formed with at least one reflector (3) as a single piece, thereby forming a flat protrusion that axially protrudes from the reflector (3) in a direction substantially parallel to the optical axis (A).

4. The lighting device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The baffle (10) and at least one reflector (3) are integrally formed as a single piece and form an acute angle with it.

5. The lighting device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The baffle (10) has the shape of a flat plate and has: a rear end that is located on the side of the reflector (3) and integrally connected to the reflector, forming an acute angle therewith, the rear end being defined by the rear portion (16) of the upper wall (13) of the frame element (7); and a front end that is located on the side of the transparent lens (5) and faces the reflector (3), the front end being defined by the front portion (12) of the upper wall (13) of the frame element (7).

6. The lighting device according to claim 1, characterized in that, It consists of a vehicle headlight, which includes a frame element (7) disposed inside a cup-shaped housing or body (2); at least one reflector (3) defines the rear wall (8) and bottom wall (9) of the frame element (7), and the front portion (12) of the upper wall (13) of the frame element (7) is defined by a baffle (10); the upper wall (13) of the frame element (7) is integrally connected to the reflector (3) via the rear portion (16) or rear end of the upper wall (13), and the rear portion (16) or rear end of the upper wall (13) is connected to the front portion (12) via a step portion (18) and supports a printed circuit board (19) equipped with at least one light source (4), the emission direction (D) of which is substantially perpendicular to the printed circuit board (19).

7. The lighting device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The frame element (7) is equipped with a plurality of reflectors (3) arranged side by side and together defining the rear and bottom walls of the frame element. The reflectors are separated from each other by corresponding ribs (15) of the frame element, which integrally connect the corresponding lateral edges of the reflectors (3) to the upper wall (13) of the frame element. The upper wall of the frame element defines a single baffle (10) which is oriented to face all the reflectors (3) through its reflective surface (11).

8. The lighting device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The protrusions (14) evenly distributed on the reflective surface (11) of the baffle (10) facing at least one reflector (3) are selected from a combination of microprisms, embossing, knurling, grooves and holograms.

9. A vehicle comprising a lighting device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the lighting device is a headlight or a lamp.

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