초록 ▼

A vehicle headlamp system having optical reflector, lamp capsule, and gasket is disclosed. The vehicle headlamp system uses surfaces formed as part of the optical surface yielding located light source. As a result, the light source is more accurately positioned with respect to the reflector, and a m

A vehicle headlamp system having optical reflector, lamp capsule, and gasket is disclosed. The vehicle headlamp system uses surfaces formed as part of the optical surface yielding located light source. As a result, the light source is more accurately positioned with respect to the reflector, and a more accurate beam pattern is formed. The lamp capsule is assisted in its location by a spring to force the capsule in proper location. The headlamp system no longer uses an O-ring to provide location, but an improved flat resilient gasket provides a sealing and locking force to maintain proper face to face coupling. The preferred lamp capsule uses a cup to shield light reflected from the press seal. The preferred lamp capsule uses a cup, and pedestal system mounting providing five axes of light source positioning. The preferred lamp capsule uses a clip coupling to join the light source holder to the plastic base.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A vehicle headlamp system comprising:a) an optical reflector having an interior side and an exterior side, the interior side having a optical surface; an optical axis defining with the optical surface a forward direction wherein the optical surface faces the forward direc

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A vehicle headlamp system comprising:a) an optical reflector having an interior side and an exterior side, the interior side having a optical surface; an optical axis defining with the optical surface a forward direction wherein the optical surface faces the forward direction; the reflector having a wall defining a passage formed through the reflector from the exterior side to the interior side, the wall including a positioning surface facing the forward direction as an extension of the optical surface; andb) a lamp capsule supporting a light source, the light source and lamp capsule being sized and shaped to permit insertion of the lamp capsule from the exterior side of the reflector through the passage to position the light source to face the optical surface; the capsule having a locating surface, the positioning surface of the optical reflector being abutted adjacent the locating surface of the lamp capsule to thereby accurately locate the lamp capsule relative to the optical surface. [11.] A vehicle headlamp capsule comprising:a light source with an envelope with a wall, the wall defining an enclosed volume, the envelope having an axis, and a press seal, wherein electric leads for the light source extend from the enclosed volume through the press seal,a metal holder having a retainer, and a support, the retainer coupling with the light source adjacent the press seal, the retainer being coupled to the support, anda plastic base fixedly holding the support, the plastic base having passages formed to pass the electric leads through the plastic base to couple with contact lugs held by the plastic base;wherein the retainer includes a cup having a sidewall and a bottom, the bottom being formed with a through passage, the press seal being coupled to the retainer in the through passage, the sidewall being offset from the light source, extending around the light source and extending from the coupling with the press seal in a direction parallel to the axis and toward the light source. The headlamp capsule in claim 11, wherein the sidewall extends in a direction parallel to the axis to be perpendicularly offset from where the leads extend from the wall into the enclosed volume, thereby blocking axially transverse transmission of light from the light source reflecting from the press seal. The headlamp capsule in claim 11, wherein the cup has a light absorbing interior surface. A vehicle headlamp capsule comprising:an envelope with a wall, the wall defining an enclosed volume, a light source positioned in the enclosed volume, the envelope having an axis, and a press seal, wherein electric leads from the light source extend through the press seal,a metal holder having a retainer, and a support, the retainer coupling with the envelope adjacent the press seal, the retainer being coupled to the support, anda plastic base fixedly holding the support, the plastic base having passages formed to pass the electric leads through the plastic base to couple with contact lugs held by the plastic base;wherein the support includes a pedestal and a coupler, the pedestal having a contact surface to position the retainer; the pedestal further having coupling contact points positioned in a plane substantially perpendicular to the lamp axis, and the coupler being joined to the plastic base, and having a surface coplanar with the contact points, thereby allowing adjusting movements of the pedestal with respect to the coupler in the plane prior to fixed coupling of the pedestal to the coupler. The headlamp capsule in claim 14, wherein the coupler includes a clip portion providing a resilient latch for secure coupling of the holder; and the plastic base includes a formed latch receptacle to couple with the resilient latch to support the holder in fixed relation to the plastic base. The headlamp capsule in claim 15, wherein the clip portion includes a plate portion providing three contact points positioned in a plane to support and couple to the pedestal; and wherein the plastic base supports the plate. The headlamp capsule in claim 15, wherein the clip portion includes a resilient latch arm extending parallel to the lamp axis to latch in a receptacle formed in the base. A vehicle headlamp capsule comprising:a light source having an axis and an envelope, the envelope having a press seal wherein electric leads for the light source extend through the press seal,a metal holder coupling with the envelope adjacent the press seal, the metal holder having a cup having a sidewall and a bottom, the bottom being formed with a through passage, the press seal being coupled to the cup in the passage formed through the bottom, the sidewall being offset from the envelope, extending around the envelope and extending from the coupling with the press seal in a direction parallel to the axis and toward the light source to be perpendicularly offset from all of the press seal, thereby blocking axially transverse transmission of light from the light source by the press seal,a pedestal having a contact surface to position the cup for axial, and rotational adjustment prior to permanent mechanical coupling of the cup; the cup being coupled to the pedestal in an adjusted position;a clip providing a mechanical support for the pedestal, the clip having a resilient latch for secure coupling; anda plastic base having a formed latch receptacle to couple with the clip resilient latch to support the metal holder, the electric leads passing through the plastic base to couple with contact lugs held by the plastic base. A vehicle headlamp capsule comprising:a light source having an envelope defining an enclosed volume, the envelope having an axis, and a press seal axially aligned on one side of the envelope, wherein electric leads for the light source enter the press seal and extend through the press seal into the enclosed volume,a metal holder coupling with the envelope adjacent the press seal, having a cup having a sidewall and a bottom, the bottom being formed with a through passage, the press seal being held in the passage formed through the bottom, the sidewall being offset from the envelope, extending around the envelope and extending adjacent the press seal from the bottom to at least a position axially perpendicular and offset from where the leads enter the press seal nearest the light source, the sidewall thereby blocking light transmitted axially perpendicular from the press seal,a pedestal having a contact surface to position the cup for axial, and rotational adjustment prior to permanent mechanical coupling of the cup; the cup being coupled to the pedestal in an adjusted position; the pedestal further having coupling contact points positioned in a plane perpendicular to the axis, thereby allowing adjusting movements of the pedestal in the plane prior to the fixed coupling of the pedestal,a clip providing a mechanical support for the pedestal contact points, and a resilient latch for secure coupling of the clip; anda plastic base having a formed latch receptacle to couple with the clip resilient latch to support the metal holder, the electric leads passing through the plastic base to couple with contact lugs held by the plastic base.