AT508603B1 - LAMP SUPPORT FOR DIFFERENT LAMP TYPES - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a lamp support (4) for a vehicle headlight (1) with coding elements (8a, 8b, 10) for uniquely defining the type of lamp to be used, wherein removable coding elements (8a, 8b) are provided for at least two different types of lamp, so that the bulb holder (4) by removing the unneeded coding elements (8a, 8b) uniquely assignable to a lamp type, wherein the removable coding elements (8a, 8b) designed pin-shaped and in the bulb holder (4) are retractable.

Description

Austrian Patent Office AT508 603B1 2012-07-15

description

LAMP SUPPORT FOR DIFFERENT LAMP TYPES

The invention relates to a bulb holder for a vehicle headlight with coding elements for clearly defining the lamp type to be used.

When installing lamps in the bulb holder (version) of a vehicle headlight care must be taken that the right lamp is installed. It depends mainly on the compatibility between the lamp and the reflector. When using the wrong light source, it may be possible to fail to comply with legal regulations or to suffer damage, e.g. due to overheating, come on the components.

In many cases, the installation of correct lamp types is ensured by the fact that are applied to the socket codings, which cooperate with corresponding devices on the lamp, as is known for example from US 4,500,946 A1.

Coding consist for example of protruding pins, which cooperate with corresponding openings in the lamp. Arranging the pins according to the required lamp type ensures that the right lamp is installed.

Some reflectors are calculated very specifically for certain lamp types. In such a case reflector and frame are usually made in one piece and on the socket codings for the appropriate lamp type are attached.

However, it may also be necessary to produce reflectors without integrally molded sockets. This is the case if the reflector is otherwise no longer easy to produce or if there are thermal / mechanical problems.

Furthermore, there are cases in which the reflectors are arranged in reflector adapters, for example, so that no forces acting on the reflector and the reflector surface can not distort, which would lead to photometric influences. This is necessary, for example, as a result of the increasing use of discharge lamps in headlight systems: since the discharge lamps are provided directly with an igniter of relatively large mass, mechanical loads can occur directly on the reflector when mounted. To decouple these loads from the reflector, an adapter is interposed, which receives these forces; This adapter is therefore provided with the necessary bulb holder (or the version).

In the latter two cases, therefore, the version or the bulb holder is produced as a separate part (wherein the version can also be made in one piece with the reflector adapter, but in any case can be independent of the reflector).

In principle, it is possible in such cases to use the bulb holder with several different reflectors. Since different types of lamps can be used for different reflectors, it is necessary to produce for each lamp type its own bulb holder with its own coding. On the one hand, this leads to higher manufacturing costs, on the other hand, the various lamp carriers must be stored separately and fed to the production separately, which increases the overall cost.

It is an object of the invention to ensure the installation of the correct lamp types in bulb holder at low cost and low cost.

This object is achieved with a bulb holder of the type mentioned according to the invention that removable coding elements are provided for at least two different lamp types, so that the bulb holder by removing the unnecessary coding elements is clearly attributable to a lamp type, the removable coding executed pin-shaped and are retractable in the bulb holder.

By the solution according to the invention, it is possible that a single lamp holder 1/9 Austrian Patent Office AT508 603B1 2012-07-15 is produced, which can then be easily and quickly adapted to the lamp used. It comes to avoiding unnecessary parts variants (ie the production of different lamp carriers) with maximum usable lamp variants. Furthermore, despite the uniformity of the lamp holder by the individualization, the correctness of the installed lamp variants ensured with minimal effort.

Under bulb holder is always understood in the present description of the fitting part for the lamp - regardless of whether the bulb holder is made in one piece with a reflector adapter or made as a separate component.

It is decided in the assembly of the lamp, for which lamp type, the present bulb holder is to be used. The unnecessary coding elements are removed.

The removable coding elements are designed pin-shaped. The shape of the pins can be arbitrary, for example, cone-shaped or cylindrical or with polygonal base.

From US 3,287,031 A1 a coding system for connectors in spacecraft has become known. In this document, the removal of previously attached to an element of the connector coding elements is also described. The coding elements are pressed into openings on the element of the connector, which are not required when assembling the connector coding elements are then punched out.

In contrast, it is provided in the present invention that the coding elements, which are formed as pins, are pressed into the bulb holder, so that no waste can arise.

To realize the pressing of the coding in the bulb holder material weakenings are provided under the coding elements. These material weakenings can be carried out differently, for example as dilution, inclusion of imperfections such as air bubbles, or the like. This makes it possible to press unneeded coding in the bulb holder. The material weakenings are such that the crimping force is far above the forces that usually occur when inserting the lamp, when mounting the lamp by means of a holding device and during operation, so that it does not lead to an "accidental". Compressing can come.

During assembly of the lamp, the coding elements engage in corresponding complementary receptacles on the lamp - if the lamp type and the arrangement of the coding elements on the lamp support do not match, the lamp can not be mounted. Errors during assembly are thus easily prevented.

There are basically coding provided for at least two different lamp types, but it can of course also be made of coding elements for several lamp types. In general, "n " Elements (or element groups) are provided and "n-1 " Elements (or element groups) are removed. In this case, variants are included in which lamp types are defined by exactly one coding element, as well as variants in which a lamp type is defined by a plurality of coding elements or an element group.

Advantageously, the material weakenings are executed in the form of a thinned wall thickness of the lamp holder. Such a thinned wall thickness can be made particularly simple, for example if an injection molding process is used to produce the lamp support. In a variant of the invention, the material weakening is performed as a hollow or bore. A particularly simple implementation is again possible in the production by injection molding or as a bore.

Theoretically, the dimensioning of the material weakening (or its diameter) in relation to the diameter of the overlying coding elements ranging from much smaller over the same size up to much larger.

Basically, it should be ensured that the coding elements by means of the material 2/9 Austrian Patent Office AT508 603B1 2012-07-15

Weakening "lost" can be pressed. This is done by tuning the diameter of the coding element and material weakening, so that the coding elements "crunched" when pressed in the resulting opening. be, and / or by extending the material between the base of the coding and lamp carrier (ie the edge of the material weakening), so that the coding element is clamped on the one hand and on the other hand connected by the stretched material of the material weakening with the bulb holder. Furthermore, it must be ensured that no fragments, dust or the like are formed during pressing. The weakening of the material must be such that there is no damage (for example breakage) to the mount or to the reflector adapter when the coding elements are being pressed.

The execution of the material weakening and its dimension always depend on the material used, in particular on the type of plastic and, if present, on the glass fiber reinforcement of the plastic.

Conveniently, the diameter of the material weakening is at least equal to the diameter of the base of the pin-shaped coding elements. By this diameter ratio between pin-shaped coding element and bore the pins are on the one hand after compression in the holes secured against loss, on the other hand no chips or other contaminants are produced when removing the surplus pins, so that the high purity requirements are met in the production or assembly of vehicle headlights , In addition, the bulb holder is not thermally processed, so there is no thermal damage to the material. The protection against loss takes place on the one hand by clamping the Codierelements in the bulb holder, on the other hand by stretching (but not tearing) of the material of the lamp holder in the material weakening. The diameter of the material weakening is advantageously at least the same size, but may also be slightly larger than the base of the pin-shaped coding elements.

In a favorable embodiment of the invention, the pin-shaped coding have substantially conical shape, wherein the diameter of the coding decreases with increasing distance from the lamp holder. As a result, the simple compression of the pin-shaped coding is ensured in the underlying holes, at the same time the coding function (ie, the interaction of the coding with the recordings on the lamp) is ensured.

The invention together with further advantages will be explained in more detail below with reference to an illustrated in the drawings, non-limiting embodiment. The drawings show schematically: [0028] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle headlight with lamp holder according to the invention and a lamp prior to assembly of the lamp, [0029] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the vehicle headlight and the lamp of FIG State, FIG. 3 shows a lamp for a vehicle headlight, and [0031] FIGS. 4a, 4b show a section through a lamp carrier according to the invention along the

Line C-C in Fig. 1 before and after adaptation for a particular lamp type.

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a vehicle headlight 1 and separated from it a lamp 2, before mounting the lamp 2. Subsequently, without limiting the invention, only those parts of the vehicle headlamp 1 and the lamp 2 are described, for the Understanding the invention are necessary.

The vehicle headlight 1 in Fig. 1 has a reflector adapter 3, on which a bulb holder 4 is arranged. The bulb holder 4 can either be made in one piece with the reflector toradapter 3 or separately.

The lamp 2 consists essentially of a light source 6 and an igniter 7, which form a common assembly of the Austrian Patent Office AT508 603 B1 2012-07-15.

Both in the reflector adapter 3 (and in the reflector, not shown) and in the lamp support 4, an opening 5 for carrying out the light source 6 of the lamp 2 is executed. In the assembled state (see FIG. 2), the light source 6 of the lamp 2 is guided through the opening 5 and the igniter is located on the lamp support 4 by means of the lamp support 11 (see FIG. 3). The exact positioning of the lamp 2 is ensured by reference points 15 on the lamp support 11 and its counterparts on the lamp support 4 (see discussion of Fig. 3). The fixation of the lamp 2 on the reflector adapter 3 is then carried out by conventional fastening means or holding devices such as stirrups and the like (not shown in the figures).

Basically, a vehicle headlight 1 as in Fig. 1 with different lamp types usable. In order to ensure that the respectively required correct lamp type is used, according to the solutions of the prior art, codings are applied to the lamp carrier 4 which interact with counterpart codings on the lamp support 11 (see FIG. 3) of the lamp 2. Now, if a wrong lamp type is used, the codes do not interfere with each other and erroneous mounting is prevented. Such codings are designed essentially as pins and projections, as shown in FIG. 1 on the bulb holder 4 in the immediate vicinity of the opening 5.

The previously known solutions have the disadvantage that a large number of lamp holders must be produced, which are the same in their basic structure, but differ in the coding. These different bulb holders must therefore be produced separately, stored and fed to production.

The invention consists in the fact that a universal bulb holder 4 is provided, which can be adapted quickly and easily to the particular use. Fig. 1 shows this solution, in which the lamp carrier 4, a number of coding elements in the form of coding pins 8a, 8b is executed. The variant in FIG. 1 shows two coding pins 8a, 8b, but it is also possible to provide more coding pins 8a, 8b. As described below, the coding pins 8a, 8b are retractable. The left encoder pins 8a, 8b define the usable lamp type. For example, the first encoding pen 8a for a lamp would be type " A " are used, the second coding pin 8b for a lamp type "B". Of course, the arrangement of the coding pins 8a, 8b in Fig. 1 for the lamp types " A " and "B" just one of countless possible arrangement examples. Depending on the types of lamps used (and their counterpart codes), the coding elements can also be arranged elsewhere.

For example, the lamp type "A " to treat a discharge lamp with mercury, while it is the lamp type "B". to be able to trade a lamp without mercury; the two lamps differ in their light output and are therefore advantageously coded differently.

In addition to the coding pins 8a, 8b, three spacers 9 (see also Figures 4a and 4b) are provided, which serve as counterparts for the reference points 15 on the lamp holder 11 (see Figure 3). The spacers 9 are arranged at a distance of 120 degrees at the edge of the opening 5 (of course, a different number of spacers and other arrangements are possible - as long as the same reference points are provided, which are arranged identically). Furthermore, a Codiervorsprung 10 is still provided, the Codiervorsprung 10 is applied to all types of lamps. The Codiervorsprung 10 is located at the top of the opening 5 (above refers to the arrangement in Fig. 1).

The complementary to the codings recordings on the lamp 2 (or the lamp support 11) are shown in Fig. 3. The type of lamp depicted in FIG. 3 is hereby exemplified as "Type A " designated.

In the upper part (above refers again to the arrangement in Fig. 3, wherein the figure shows the position of the lamp 2 in the installed state, so if the vehicle headlamp is installed in a vehicle) of the annular lamp support 11 between the light source 6 and Igniter 7 of the lamp 2 is the receptacle 12 for the Codiervorsprung 10 from 4/9 Austrian Patent Office AT508 603 B1 2012-07-15

Fig. 1. At half height on the right side of the lamp support 11 - or, if you think the lamp support 11 as a clock, at the point, the "3 o'clock". would correspond - is the semicircular pin receptacle 13, which cooperates with the coding pin 8a of FIG. The lamp 2 of the "Type A " is thus defined by the coding pin 8a.

A type B " is thus defined by the second coding pin 8b.

Furthermore, the lamp support 11 to the already mentioned reference points 15. These reference points 15 cooperate with the spacers 9 on the bulb holder 4 (see FIG. 1) and guarantee a proper alignment of the light source 6. The lamp 2 thus rests with the reference points 15 on the spacers 9 on the bulb holder 4; thereby the exact position of the lamp in the longitudinal direction, i. along the optical axis of the light source 6, guaranteed.

The respective surplus coding pin 8a, 8b is removed. The Fign. 4a and 4b show, to illustrate this process, a section through the bulb holder 4 along the line CC in Fig. 1. In this sectional view, the coding pin 8a is also cut and therefore with its substantially conical shape - with a thick base, which tapers upwards -Suitable. A certain conical shape results from the necessary Entformschräge (about 2 °), which results in the manufacture of such components with the injection molding. Without this bevel, the produced injection molded part would not be removed from the tool - at least not without damage. Such a draft is provided at all points of a molding. In principle, however, the coding pins 8a, 8b can also be provided with much stronger bevels.

The bulb holder 4 is designed so that under the coding pins 8a, 8b material weakenings 14 are provided. These material weakenings 14 can be designed differently, for example as a dilution in the wall thickness, cavities such as holes or the like. These material weakenings 14 can be produced, for example, very simply if an injection molding process is used for the production of the lamp carrier 4. Due to the representation in FIGS. 4a and 4b, the material weakenings 14 are referred to in the further embodiments without limitation of the invention as holes 14. Due to the arrangement of the section in Fig. 1 is in the Fign. 4a and 4b only the bore 14 under the coding pin 8a recognizable.

The diameter of the bore 14 is at least the same size as the diameter of the base of the coding pin 8a in the illustrated embodiment. This results in that the coding pin 8a is retractable by means of pressure in the bore 14, so that the coding pin 8a but remains connected by stretching the material between the base of the Codierstifts 8a and the bulb holder 4 with the bulb holder 4 (but the material is not torn) and secured against loss (see Fig. 4b). It does not break or splinter the components, the sinking causes no chips or other contamination. The pressing force is far above the forces that occur when inserting the lamp 2 or when closing the fixture.

Depending on the material of the lamp holder 4, the diameter of the bore 14 but also be smaller or larger than the diameter of the base of the Codierstifts 8a.

In principle, therefore, when mounting the lamp 2, a lamp support 4 according to FIG. 4a is present, the coding pins 8a, 8b for lamps of the "type A " and of the "Type B" provides. If a lamp 2 of type "B" is to be installed, the first encoder pin 8a is pressed into the bore 14 under the coding pin 8a. This leaves only the second coding pin 8b, which coincides with the complementary openings in the lamp 2 of "type B". interacts.

It should be mentioned again that the figures show only one embodiment. Of course, it is also possible to provide coding elements for more than two lamp types, and furthermore the coding for one lamp type can also comprise more than two coding elements. In general, that of "n " Elements for coding "n-l " Elements are removed, where "element " here as described for a coding element or a coding element group are 5/9

Claims (6)

Austrian Patent Office AT508 603B1 2012-07-15 can. 1. Bulb holder (4) for a vehicle headlight (1) with coding elements (8a, 8b) for clearly defining the lamp type to be used, characterized in that removable coding elements (8a, 8b) are provided for at least two different lamp types, so that the bulb holder (4) by removing the unneeded coding elements (8a, 8b) uniquely assignable to a lamp type, wherein the removable coding elements (8a, 8b) designed pin-shaped and in the bulb holder (4) are retractable. 2. Bulb holder according to claim 1, characterized in that in the lamp carrier (4) under the coding material weakenings (14) are provided. 3. Bulb holder according to claim 2, characterized in that the material weakening (14) is designed in the form of a thinned wall thickness. 4. Bulb holder according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the material weakening (14) is designed as a cavity or bore. 5. Lamp holder according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the diameter of the material weakening (14) is at least as large as the diameter of the base of the pin-shaped coding elements (8 a, 8 b). 6. Bulb holder according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the coding elements (8a, 8b) have substantially conical shape, wherein the diameter of the coding elements (8a, 8b) decreases with increasing distance from the lamp carrier (4). 3 sheets of drawings 6/9