(19) &    

(11) EP 1 612 472 B1

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45) Date of publication and mention (51) Int Cl.: of the grant of the patent: F21S 8/10 (2006.01) F21V 9/04 (2006.01) 28.05.2008 Bulletin 2008/22

(21) Application number: 05013959.1

(22) Date of filing: 28.06.2005

(54) Vehicle apparatus Fahrzeugbeleuchtungsvorrichtung Appareil d’éclairage de vehicule

(84) Designated Contracting States: • Ohkubo, Yasuhiro DE FR GB c/o Ichikoh Industries, Ltd. Isehara-shi (30) Priority: 30.06.2004 JP 2004193058 Kanagawa-ken 259-1192 (JP)

(43) Date of publication of application: (74) Representative: Grünecker, Kinkeldey, 04.01.2006 Bulletin 2006/01 Stockmair & Schwanhäusser Anwaltssozietät (73) Proprietor: ICHIKOH INDUSTRIES, LTD. Leopoldstrasse 4 Tokyo 144-0022 (JP) 80802 München (DE)

(72) Inventors: (56) References cited: • Suzuki, Eiji EP-A1- 0 984 222 DE-C- 511 572 c/o Ichikoh Industries, Ltd. DE-U1- 8 523 724 US-A1- 2003 202 358 Isehara-shi US-A1- 2004 070 322 Kanagawa-ken 259-1192 (JP)

Note: Within nine months of the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent in the European Patent Bulletin, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to that patent, in accordance with the Implementing Regulations. Notice of opposition shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention). EP 1 612 472 B1

Printed by Jouve, 75001 PARIS (FR) 1 EP 1 612 472 B1 2

Description tically. Furthermore, the conventional vehicle lighting ap- paratus is more compact compared to the vehicle lighting [0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle light- apparatus with a longitudinal-inserting bulb. ing apparatus of a side-inserting bulb type, in which a [0007] However, there are limitations to efficiently us- bulb is fitted in a direction intersecting with an optical 5 ing the conventional vehicle lighting apparatus by having axis, and, more particularly, to a vehicle lighting appara- the light from the reflected off the base member. tus by which an ideal light distribution pattern can be ob- [0008] It is an object of the present invention to at least tained from a near- projector and a lamp for a solve the problems in the conventional technology. low-beam distribution pattern, and the like. [0009] A vehicle lighting apparatus according to one [0002] Document DE 511572C refers to a vehicle light- 10 aspect of the present invention includes a bulb having a ing apparatus which comprises a bulb, a reflector, an front end and a rear end; a reflector including an insertion insertion hole and a reflective surface. The reflector has hole for inserting the front end and a mounting portion to an elliptical shape and the ellipsoid comprises two focal which the rear end is detachably mounted; and a reflec- points. The lamp is arranged at the focal point at a rear tive surface that is provided on the reflector, and reflects end of the reflector. 15 light from the bulb in a predetermined direction. The bulb [0003] Another document EP 0984222 A1 refers to a is inserted in a direction intersecting with an optical axis motor vehicle headlight with a transverse lamp having so that a bulb axis intersects with the optical axis on a an improved lamp mount. substantially horizontal cross section. The bulb axis is [0004] Conventionally, vehicle lighting apparatuses inclined in such a manner that the front end is declined are of a longitudinal- inserting bulb type, in which the bulb 20 towards a direction of reflection of the light by the reflec- is fitted in parallel to an optical axis, making a bulb axis tive surface with respect to the rear end, and the reflective parallel to the optical axis. However, in the conventional surface includes a main reflective surface that is formed vehicle lighting apparatus, the insertion hole for the bulb with a paraboloid of revolution or a non-uniform rational is provided in a part of the reflective surface, which is B-splines curved surface with a first focal distance; and closest to the bulb filament and which is a spot that can 25 a sub-reflective surface that is disposed around the potentially reflect the light from the bulb most efficiently, mounting portion, and is formed with a paraboloid of rev- thereby compromising the efficiency with which the light olution or a non- uniform rational B- splines curved surface is reflected. with a second focal distance that is shorter than the first [0005] In view of this drawback, vehicle lighting appa- focal distance. ratuses were developed that allowed the bulb to be fitted 30 [0010] Preferred embodiments of the invention are de- facing sideways. One such vehicle lighting apparatus is scribed in the dependent claims. disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid- Open Publication No. [0011] The above and other objects, features, advan- 2000-82305. The vehicle lighting apparatus disclosed in tages and technical and industrial significance of this in- Japanese Patent Laid- Open Publication No. 2000-82305 vention will be better understood by reading the following (hereinafter, "conventional vehicle lighting apparatus") is 35 detailed description of presently preferred embodiments described next. The conventional vehicle lighting appa- of the invention, when considered in connection with the ratus includes a reflector plate and a reflective surface accompanying drawings. provided on the base. The reflector plate is provided with a bulb, a slot into which the bulb is inserted, and a lamp FIG. 1 is a vertical cross- section of a vehicle lighting holder to which a mounting collar is detachably fitted. 40 apparatus according to a first embodiment of the The reflective surface or a base member is attached to present invention; the reflector plate and directs the light from the lamp sub- FIG. 2 is a cross- section cut along the line II- II shown stantially parallel to as well in a predetermined direction in Fig. 1; with respectto the optical axis.In the conventional vehicle FIG. 3 is a view as seen from the line III- III shown in lighting apparatus, the direction of bulb insertion is at45 Fig. 1; right angles with respect to the optical axis, disposing the FIG. 4 is a schematic for illustrating a reference lu- lamp axis at right angles with respect to the optical axis. minous intensity distribution pattern, a near-infrared [0006] The functioning of the conventional vehicle light distribution pattern, and a low-beam distribution lighting apparatus is explained next. When the lamp is pattern; turned on, the base member directs the light from the 50 FIG. 5 is a horizontal cross- section illustrating an ef- lamp substantially parallel to as well as in a predeter- fective part of reflective surfaces that reflect light mined direction with respect to the optical axis. The spot emitted from a bulb; on the base member which is closest to the lamp filament FIG. 6 is a horizontal cross-section illustrating the and which can potentially reflect the light most efficiently effective part of the reflective surfaces that reflect is used for producing reflected light. Therefore, the re- 55 light emitted from the bulb in a conventional vehicle flective surface or the base member in the conventional lighting apparatus; vehicle lighting apparatus is more efficient than in the Fig. 7 is a vertical cross-section of a vehicle lighting vehicle lighting apparatus in which the bulb is fitted ver- apparatus according to a second embodiment of the

2 3 EP 1 612 472 B1 4

present invention; pared to the amount of light emitted from the sides of the Fig. 8 is a vertical cross-section of a vehicle lighting filament 13. apparatus according to a third embodiment of the [0016] The reflector 6 is mounted within the lamp hous- present invention; ing 3 by means of a not shown optical axis adjusting Fig. 9 is a vertical cross-section of a vehicle lighting 5 mechanism. The reflector 6 has an insertion hole 15 into apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the which the glass bulb 9 of the bulb 5 is inserted. The edge present invention; and of the insertion hole 15 of the reflector has a bulb mount- Fig. 10 is a vertical cross- section of a vehicle lighting ing portion 16 and a not shown mount mechanism on apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the which the attaching flange 10 at the base of the bulb 5 present invention; 10 detachably engages. [0017] The reflective surfaces 7 and 8 include a main [0012] Exemplary embodiments of a vehicle lighting reflective surface 7 and a sub-reflective surface 8. The apparatus according to the present invention are ex- main reflective surface 7 is a paraboloid of revolution plained below with reference to the accompanying draw- non-uniform rational B-splines (NURBS) curved surface ings. It should be noted that the present invention is not 15 or a NURBS curved surface based on the paraboloid of limited to the present embodiments. In the present spec- revolution (see, for example, Japanese Patent Laid- ification and drawings, the reference symbol "F" denotes Open Publication No. 2001-35215) F1, and a sub- reflec- "front" of a vehicle, the reference symbol "B" denotes tive surface 8, again, is a paraboloid of revolution NURBS "rear" of the vehicle, the reference symbol "U" denotes curved surface or a NURBS curved surface based on the "upper side" in a case where the driver faces the front, 20 paraboloid of revolution F2. The optical axis Z-Z of the the reference symbol "D" denotes "lower side" in a case main reflective surface 7 and the optical axis Z-Z of the where the driver faces the front, the reference symbol sub-reflective surface coincide. The focal point F0 of the "L" denotes "left side" in a case where the driver faces main reflective surface 7 and the focal point F0 of the the front, and the reference symbol "R denotes "right sub-reflective surface 8 coincide. The main reflective sur- side" in a case where the driver faces the front. The ref- 25 face 7 and the sub-reflective surface 8 reflect the light erence symbol "VU-VD" denotes "vertical axis", and the emitted from the filament 13 substantially parallel to as reference symbol "HL-HR" denotes "horizontal axis". well as in a predetermined direction with respect to an [0013] A first embodiment of the vehicle lighting appa- optical axis Z-Z. The focal distance of the sub-reflective ratus according to the present invention is explained next surface 8 is shorter than the focal distance of the main with reference to Fig. 1 through Fig. 5. The structure of 30 reflective surface 7. The NURBS curved surfaces F1 and the vehicle lighting apparatus according to the first em- F2 are Non- Uniform Rational B- Spline Surface described bodiment is explained first. in "Mathematical Elements for Computer Graphics" by [0014] In Fig. 1 and Fig. 5, the reference number 1 David F. Rogers and J. Alan Adams. denotes the vehicle lighting apparatus according to the [0018] The filter 17 is provided covering the opening first embodiment, the vehicle lighting apparatus being a 35 of the reflector 6 and includes a light transparent base near-infrared projector (or a near- infrared lamp or a near- and an infrared light permeable film. The filter 17 permits infrared ). As shown in Fig. 1, the near-infrared the infrared component of the light emitted from the fila- projector 1 includes a lamp housing 3 that sections off a ment 13 of the bulb 5 of the to pass through lamp compartment 2, a lamp lens (outer lens) 4, a reflec- while reflecting the visible component of the light. In other tor 6 provided inside the lamp compartment 2, a light40 words, the filter 17 is permeable to infrared light but im- source in the form of a bulb 5 mounted on the reflector permeable to visible light. 6, reflective surfaces 7 and 8 provided on the reflector 6, [0019] In the near-infrared projector 1, the bulb axis and a filter 17 that lets infrared light get past. ZB-ZB is inclined at an angle with respect to the optical [0015] The bulb 5 is a C-8 type halogen bulb and in- axis Z-Z in such a way that the glass bulb 9, which is the cludes a glass bulb 9 at the front end, an attaching flange 45 front end of the bulb 5, is oriented towards the direction 10 at the rear end, a base 11, a connector 12, and a of light reflection (towards the front F) by the main reflec- filament 13 provided within the glass bulb 9. The axis of tive surface 7 and the sub-reflective surface 8 as com- the glass bulb 9 and the axis of the filament 13 coincide pared to the rear end of the bulb that includes the attach- with the axis ZB-ZB of the bulb 5. The front end of the ing flange 10, the base 11, and the connector 12. The glass bulb 9 of the bulb 5 is blacked out to form a black- 50 filament 13 of the bulb 5 is located either at or close to ened top 14. The blackened top 14 prevents the light the focal point F0 of the main reflective surface 7 or the emitted from the front end of the filament 13 from scat- sub-reflective surface. Further, because the direction of tering to the outside through the glass bulb 9. The pre- insertion of the bulb 5 intersects the optical axis Z- Z, the vention of scattering of the light emitted from the front bulb axis ZB-ZB intersects the optical axis Z- Z on a sub- end of the filament 13 by the blackened top 14 does not 55 stantially horizontal cross section. adversely affect the overall light emitted by the near-in- [0020] The near-infrared projector 1 having the struc- frared projector 1 because the amount of light emitted ture described above functions as a projector facilitating from the front end of the filament 13 is negligible com- night vision. The near-infrared projector 1 is mounted in

3 5 EP 1 612 472 B1 6 the front of a not shown vehicle along with a night vision corresponding area in the conventional vehicle lighting imaging device meant for vehicles such as a charged- apparatus 100. In other words, a portion (the grid area A coupled-device (CC)D camera (not shown). The near- in Fig. 6) of the main reflective surface 7, rendered un- infrared projector 1 and the CCD camera together form usable by the blackened top 14 of the bulb 5 in the con- a night vision device (a near- infrared night vision system 5 ventional vehicle lighting apparatus 100, can be effec- for forward field of vision), which aids night driving. tively used in the near-infrared projector 1. As a result, [0021] When the filament 13 of the bulb 5 illuminates, in the near-infrared projector 1, the light from the bulb 5 the light from the filament 13 passes through all portions is efficiently reflected by the main reflective surface 7. of the glass bulb 9 except from the blackened top 14 and [0025] Particularly, in the near-infrared projector 1, the the base portion, and gets reflected by the main reflective 10 bulb axis ZB-ZB is inclined at an angle with respect to surface 7 and the sub-reflective surface 8. The light is the optical axis Z-Z in such a way that the glass bulb 9, reflected substantially parallel to the optical axis Z-Z as which is the front end of the bulb 5, is oriented towards well as in a predetermined direction by the main reflective the direction of light reflection (towards the front F) by surface 7 and the sub- reflective surface 8. The reflected the main reflective surface 7 and the sub-reflective sur- light then passes through the filter 17 and then through 15 face 8 as compared to the rear end of the bulb that in- the lamp lens 4 as transmitted light. The light through the cludes the attaching flange 10, the base 11, and the con- lamp lens 4 produces a near-infrared light distribution nector 12. Consequently, in the near-infrared projector pattern IP as shown in Fig. 4. The reflected light only has 1, the area (the grid area B in Fig. 6) near the bulb mount- the infrared component as the visible component of the ing portion 16 of the reflector 6 rendered unusable in the light is blocked by the filter 17. Thus, an infrared night 20 conventional vehicle lighting apparatus 100, is made vision system can be realized by combining a CCD cam- available for providing an efficient sub- reflective surface era with the near-infrared projector 1 to aid night driving. 8. Thus, the near-infrared projector 1 can efficiently re- [0022] The light reflected by the main reflective surface flect the light from the bulb 5. 7 produces a light distribution pattern required for a night [0026] Thus, the near-infrared projector 1 according to vision device, that is, a luminous light reaching far and 25 the first embodiment produces the near- infrared light dis- covering a wide area. The light reflected by the sub-re- tribution pattern IP as shown in Fig. 4, which is an ideal flective surface 8 produces a light distribution pattern fur- light distribution pattern obtained by combining the light ther required for fast driving, that is, a highly luminous reflected by the main reflective surface 7 and the sub- light reaching far at a level in alignment with the center reflective surface 8. As shown in Fig. 4, the area that is of the vehicle (towards VU of the vertical axis VU-VD 30 not illuminated by a reference luminous intensity distri- shown in Fig. 4). The luminous and wide light distribution bution pattern LP, that is, the area above (in other words, pattern obtained from the light reflected by the main re- further ahead of) a cut-off line CL of the reference lumi- flective surface 7 and the highly luminous light distribution nous intensity distribution pattern LP, is illuminated by pattern obtained from the light reflected by the sub-re- the near-infrared light distribution pattern IP. Therefore, flective surface 8 combine to form a substantially rectan- 35 the near-infrared light distribution pattern IP augments gular near-infrared light distribution pattern IP with its the illumination by the reference luminous intensity dis- long side along the horizontal axis HL-HR as shown in tribution pattern LP. Fig. 4, which is an ideal light distribution pattern required [0027] Further, in thenear-infrared projector 1, the bulb on roads ranging from regular roads to highway fast 5, which is a C-8 type halogen lamp and has a substan- lanes. 40 tially tubular glass bulb 9, and whose axis along with the [0023] Fig.5 is a schematic diagram of the vehicle light- axis of the similarly substantially tubular filament 13 co- ing apparatus in the form of the near-infrared projector 1 incides with the bulb axis ZB-ZB, is fitted facing sideways according to the first embodiment. Fig. 6 is a schematic in the reflector 6. Consequently, the filament axis (which diagram of a conventional vehicle lighting apparatus 100. coincides with the bulb axis ZB-ZB) and the optical axis [0024] As shown in Fig. 5, in the near- infrared projector 45 Z-Z of the main reflective surface 7 and the sub-reflective 1, the bulb axis ZB- ZB is inclined at an angle with respect surface 8 are substantially orthogonal to each other on to the optical axis Z-Z. On the other hand, as shown in a substantially horizontal cross section. Thus, the near- Fig. 6, in the conventional vehicle lighting apparatus 100, infrared light distribution pattern IP, which is basically a the bulb axis ZB-ZB is substantially orthogonal to the magnification of the substantially rectangular (front ele- optical axis Z-Z. Thus, in the near-infrared projector 1, a 50 vation of the filament 13) filament 13, is produced by a solid angle θ1 formed by the light from the filament 13 of simple structure. the bulb 5 incident on the part of the main reflective sur- [0028] Further, in the near-infrared projector 1, a C-8 face 7 that is closest to the filament 13 and that reflects type halogen bulb is used as the bulb 5, which strikes a the light most efficiently is greater than a solid angle θ of balance between bulb life and light distribution charac- the conventional vehicle lighting apparatus 100. Further- 55 teristics (the characteristic near- infrared light distribution more, in the near-infrared projector 1, an area W1 on the pattern IP). Consequently, the near-infrared projector 1 main reflective surface 7 up to the point where the light is best suited as a vehicle night vision projection device from the filament 13 becomes incident is wider than the which augments the reference luminous intensity distri-

4 7 EP 1 612 472 B1 8 bution pattern LP of the headlamp. projector 1 is obtained. When the filament 13 of the bulb [0029] Further, in the near-infrared projector 1, the di- 5 illuminates in this state when the filter 17 swiveled back rection of bulb insertion intersects the optical axis Z- Z of to uncover the opening of the reflector 6 by contracting the bulb 5 in a so- called side-inserting bulb type arrange- the cylinder or the solenoid 18, as denoted by the chain ment. Consequently, the size of the headlamp can be 5 double-dashed line in Fig. 8, the low-beam distribution reduced in the optical axis Z- Z, making it ideal as a near- pattern HP substantially similar to that produced by the infrared projector. vehicle lighting apparatus 1A according to the second [0030] Fig. 7 is a vertical cross-section of a vehicle embodiment is produced. lighting apparatus according to a second embodiment of [0038] Thus, the vehicle lighting apparatus 1B accord- the present invention. The parts in Fig. 7 that are identical 10 ing to the third embodiment realizes the effects substan- to those in Fig. 1 through Fig. 6 are assigned the same tially similar to those of the near- infrared projector 1 and reference numerals. the vehicle lighting apparatus 1A. [0031] The vehicle lighting apparatus 1A according to [0039] Fig. 9 is a vertical cross-section of a vehicle the second embodiment is a headlamp for driving and lighting apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of has a structure thatis similar to thenear-infrared projector 15 the present invention. The parts in Fig. 9 that are identical 1 except that the filter 17 is absent. to those in Fig. 1 through Fig. 8 are assigned the same [0032] Because of the way the vehicle lighting appa- reference numerals. ratus 1A according to the second embodiment is con- [0040] The vehicle lighting apparatus 1C according to structed, when the filament 13 of the bulb 5 illuminates, the fourth embodiment has a structure similar to the near- the light reflected by the main reflective surface 7 pro- 20 infrared projector 1 except that the filter 17 in the vehicle duces a light distribution pattern required for driving, that lighting apparatus 1C is slidable with the aid of a motor is, a luminous light reaching far and covering a wide area. 19 and a rack-and-pinion mechanism 20 to cover or un- Further, the light reflected by the sub-reflective surface cover the opening of the reflector 6. 8 produces a light distribution pattern further required for [0041] Because of the way the vehicle lighting appa- fast driving, that is, a highly luminous light reaching far 25 ratus 1C according to the fourth embodiment is construct- at a level in alignment with the center of the vehicle (to- ed, when the filament 13 of the bulb 5 illuminates in the wards VU of the vertical axis VU-VD shown in Fig. 4). state when the filter 17 is slid to close the opening of the The luminous and wide light distribution pattern obtained reflector 6 by with the aid of the rack- and pinion mecha- from the light reflected by the main reflective surface 7 nism 20 driven by the motor 19, the ideal near-infrared and the highly luminous light distribution pattern combine 30 light distribution pattern IP substantially similar to that to form a substantially rectangular or elliptical low- beam produced by the near-infrared projector 1 is obtained. distribution pattern HP as shown in Fig. 4, which is an When the filament 13 of the bulb 5 illuminates in the state ideal light distribution pattern required for driving. when the filter 17 slid to uncover the opening of the re- [0033] Thus, the vehicle lighting apparatus 1A accord- flector 6 with the aid of the rack-and-pinion mechanism ing to the second embodiment realizes the effects sub- 35 20 by the motor 19 driven in the reverse, as denoted by stantially similar to those of the near- infrared projector 1. the chain double-dashed line in Fig. 9, the low- beam dis- [0034] A vehicle may be fitted with both the vehicle tribution pattern HP substantially similar to that produced lighting apparatus 1A according to the second embodi- by the vehicle lighting apparatus 1A according to the sec- ment to serve as a headlamp and the near-infrared pro- ond embodiment is produced. jector 1. 40 [0042] Thus, the vehicle lighting apparatus 1C accord- [0035] Fig. 8 is a vertical cross-section of a vehicle ing to the fourth embodiment realizes the effects sub- lighting apparatus according to a third embodiment of the stantially similar to those of the near- infrared projector 1 present invention. The parts in Fig. 8 that are identical to and the vehicle lighting apparatus 1A. those in Fig. 1 through Fig. 7 are assigned the same [0043] Fig. 10 is a vertical cross-section of a vehicle reference numerals. 45 lighting apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the [0036] The vehicle lighting apparatus 1B according to present invention. The parts in Fig. 10 identical to those the third embodiment has a structure that is similar to the in Fig. 1 through Fig. 9 are assigned the same reference near-infrared projector 1 except that the filter 17 in the numerals. vehicle lighting apparatus 1B is rotatable with the aid of [0044] The vehicle lighting apparatus 1D according to a cylinder or a solenoid 18 to cover or uncover the open- 50 the fifth embodiment has a structure according to any of ing of the reflector 6. the vehicle lighting apparatuses 1, 1A, 1B, and 1C ac- [0037] Because of the way the vehicle lighting appa- cording to first through fourth embodiments except that ratus 1B according to the third embodiment is construct- the bulb 5 is located below the optical axis Z-Z. ed, when the filament 13 of the bulb 5 illuminates in the [0045] Because of the way the vehicle lighting appa- state when the filter 17 is swiveled to close the opening 55 ratus 1D according to the fifth embodiment is construct- of the reflector 6 by extending the cylinder or the solenoid ed, the light reflected from that spot in the main reflective 18, the ideal near- infrared light distribution pattern IPsub- surface 7 which is closest to the filament 13 of the bulb stantially similar to that produced by the near-infrared 5 and which canpotentially reflect thelight most efficiently

5 9 EP 1 612 472 B1 10 is not blocked by the bulb 5. Consequently, in the vehicle bulb (9) with a blackened top portion (14) and a lon- lighting apparatus, the light from the bulb 5 is more effi- gitudinal direction of the filament (13) is parallel to a ciently utilized. bulb-inserted-direction. [0046] According to the present invention, a C-8 type halogen lamp is used as the light source, that is, the bulb 5 3. The vehicle lighting apparatus according to any one 5. Other types of light source such as a discharge lamp, of claims 1 to 2, further comprising a filter (17) that like an HID bulb, may also be used. reflects visible light component and passes infrared [0047] Furthermore, according to the present inven- light component from the light reflected by the reflec- tion, the light source, that is the bulb 5, is fitted facing tive surface (7, 8). sideways from the left side with respect to the reflector 10 6. The bulb 5 may also be fitted facing sideways from the 4. The vehicle lighting apparatus according to any one right side with respect to the reflector 6. of claims 1 to 3, wherein [0048] Although the invention has been described with the filter (17) is openably and closably provided on respect to a specific embodiment for a complete and clear an optical path of the light reflected, and disclosure, the appended claims are not to be thus limited 15 closing of the filter (17) obtains infrared light, and but are to be construed as embodying all modifications opening of the filter (17) obtains visible light. and alternative constructions that may occur to one skilled in the art that fairly fall within the basic teaching 5. The vehicle lighting apparatus according to any one herein set forth. of claims 1 to 4, wherein the bulb (5) is disposed 20 below the optical axis.

Claims Patentansprüche 1. A vehicle lighting apparatus comprising: 25 1. Beleuchtungsvorrichtung eines Fahrzeuges, auf- a bulb (5) having a front end (9) and a rear end weisend: (10); a reflector (6) including eine Lampe (5) mit einem vorderen Ende (9) und an insertion hole (15) for inserting the front end einem hinteren Ende (10); (9); and 30 ein Reflektor (6) inklusive a mounting portion (16) to which the rear end ein Einsetzloch (15), um das vordere Ende (9) (10) is detachably mounted; and einzusetzen; und a reflective surface (7, 8) that is provided on the ein Befestigungsabschnitt (16), an welchem das reflector (6), and reflects light from the bulb (5) hintere Ende (10) abnehmbar befestigt ist; und in a predetermined direction, and 35 eine Reflexionsfläche (7, 8), die an dem Reflek- the bulb (5) is inserted in a direction intersecting tor (6) vorhanden ist und diese reflektiert Licht with an optical axis so that a bulb axis intersects von der Lampe (5) in einer vorbestimmten Rich- with the optical axis on a substantially horizontal tung; und cross section, and die Lampe (5) in einer Richtung schneidend mit the bulb axis is inclined in such a manner that 40 einer optischen Achse so eingesetzt ist, dass the front end (9) is declined towards a direction sich eine Lampenachse mit der optischen Achse of reflection of the light by the reflective surface in einer im Wesentlichen horizontalen Ebene with respect to the rear end (10), schneiden, und characterized in that die Lampenachse ist in einer solchen Weise ge- the reflective surface (7, 8) includes 45 neigt, dass das vordere Ende (9) zu einer Rich- a main reflective surface (7) that is formed with tung des über die Reflexionsfläche (7, 8) reflek- a paraboloid of revolution or a non-uniform ra- tierten Lichts geneigt ist, in Bezug zum hinteren tional B-splines curved surface with a first focal Ende (10), distance; and dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass a sub-reflective surface (8) that is disposed50 die Reflexionsfläche (7, 8) beinhaltet around the mounting portion (16), and is formed eine Hauptreflexionsfläche (7) die als ein um- with a paraboloid of revolution or a non- uniform laufendes Paraboloid oder als gewölbte Fläche rational B-splines curved surface with a second einer uniformen, rationalen B-splines mit einer focal distance that is shorter than the first focal ersten Brennweite geformt ist ; und distance. 55 eine Nebenreflexionsfläche (8), die um den Be- festigungsabschnitt (16) herum angeordnet ist 2. The vehicle lighting apparatus according to claim 1, und als umlaufendes Paraboloid oder als ge- wherein the bulb (5) has a filament (13) and a glass wölbte Fläche einer uniformen, rationalen B-

6 11 EP 1 612 472 B1 12

splines mit einer zweiten Brennweite, die kürzer est disposée autour de la partie de montage (16) als die erste Brennweite geformt ist. et qui présente un paraboloïde de révolution ou une courbe NURBS avec une seconde distance 2. Beleuchtungsvorrichtung eines Fahrzeuges gemäß focale plus courte que la première. Anspruch 1, worin die Lampe (5) einen Leuchtdraht 5 (13) und einen Glaskolben (9) mit geschwärztem 2. Appareil d’éclairage de véhicule selon la revendica- Endabschnitt (14) aufweist und eine Längsrichtung tion 1, dans lequel l’ampoule (5) a un filament (13) des Leuchtdrahtes (13) parallel zu einer Lampenein- et une ampoule en verre (9) avec une partie supé- setzrichtung ist. rieure noircie (14), et un sens longitudinal du filament 10 (13) est parallèle à un sens d’introduction de l’am- 3. Beleuchtungsvorrichtung eines Fahrzeuges nach poule. Anspruch 1 oder 2, weiter aufweisend einen Filter (17) der den sichtbaren Teil des Lichts reflektiert und 3. Appareil d’éclairage de véhicule selon l’une quelcon- den infraroten Teil des Lichts durchlässt, das von que des revendications 1 à 2, comprenant égale- der Reflexionsfläche (7, 8) reflektiert wird. 15 ment un filtre (17) qui réfléchit le composant de lu- mière visible et qui laisse passer le composant de 4. Beleuchtungsvorrichtung eines Fahrzeuges nach ei- lumière infrarouge provenant de la lumière réfléchie nem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, worin par la surface réfléchissante (7, 8). der Filter (17) geöffnet und geschlossen werden kann, wo das reflektierte Licht entlang verläuft, und 20 4. Appareil d’éclairage de véhicule selon l’une quelcon- durch ein geschlossenen Filter (17) infrarotes Licht que des revendications 1 à 3, dans lequel le filtre erhältlich ist und durch ein geöffneten Filter (17) (17) est disposé de manière à pouvoir être ouvert et sichtbares Licht erhältlich ist. fermé sur une trajectoire optique de la lumière réflé- chie, et 5. Beleuchtungsvorrichtung eines Fahrzeuges nach ei- 25 la fermeture du filtre (17) donne une lumière infra- nem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, worin die Lampe (5) rouge tandis que son ouverture donne une lumière unterhalb der optischen Achse (Z- Z) angeordnet ist. visible.

5. Appareil d’éclairage de véhicule selon l’une quelcon- Revendications 30 que des revendications 1 à 4, dans lequel l’ampoule (5) est disposée au-dessous de l’axe optique. 1. Appareil d’éclairage de véhicule comprenant :

une ampoule (5) avec une extrémité avant (9) et une extrémité arrière (10) ; 35 un réflecteur (6) comprenant un perçage d’introduction (15) pour l’introduc- tion de l’extrémité avant (9) ; et une partie de montage (16) à laquelle l’extrémité arrière (10) est montée de manière amovible ; 40 une surface réfléchissante (7, 8) qui est prévue sur le réflecteur (6) et qui réfléchit la lumière de l’ampoule (5) dans un sens prédéterminée, l’ampoule (5) est introduite dans une direction qui coupe un axe optique, de sorte qu’un axe 45 d’ampoule coupe l’axe optique sur une coupe transversale globalement horizontale, et l’axe de l’ampoule est incliné de telle sorte que l’extrémité avant (9) est orientée vers un sens de réflexion de la lumière par la surface réflé- 50 chissante, par rapport à l’extrémité arrière (10), caractérisé en ce que la surface réfléchissante (7, 8) comprend une surface réfléchissante principale (7) qui pré- sente un paraboloïde de révolution ou une cour- 55 be NURBS (à B-splines rationnelle non unifor- me) avec une première distance focale ; et une surface réfléchissante secondaire (8) qui

7 EP 1 612 472 B1

8 EP 1 612 472 B1

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10 EP 1 612 472 B1

11 EP 1 612 472 B1

12 EP 1 612 472 B1

REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader’s convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.

Patent documents cited in the description

• DE 511572 C [0002] • JP 2000082305 A [0005] [0005] • EP 0984222 A1 [0003] • JP 2001035215 A [0017]

Non-patent literature cited in the description

• DAVID F. ROGERS ; J. ALAN ADAMS. Mathemat- ical Elements for Computer Graphics [0017]

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