FR2805599A1 - SYSTEM FOR FIXING A LIGHT SOURCE INTO THE REFLECTOR OF A PROJECTOR - Google Patents

Abstract

The reflector (10) has an opening (14) surrounded by a housing (24) for the light source (16). A locking element (50) is fixed freely in rotation on the reflector (10) and, between the latter and the reflector (10), there is a fixing ring (40). The light source (16) is placed in the housing (24) when the element (50) is unlocked, and its plate (18) comes against the support (26) of the reflector (10). The ring (40) comprises three elastic arms (42) and the locking element (50) comprises three cams (60) which, by rotation of the element (50) in the locking position, push the arms (42) radially inwards so that these pass over the plate (18) of the source (16) in order to block the source against the reflector (10).

Description

STATE OF THE ART The present invention relates to a system for

  fixing of a light source in a projector reflector

  tor, the reflector having an opening and a surrounding housing

  rant this to receive the base of the light source, with a support against which the plate of the base of the light source is applied in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the light source, a locking element being fixed

  on the reflector by rotation between an unlocking position

  rusting and a locking position; in this system the light source is placed in the housing when the locking element is in the unlocked position and, by rotation of the locking element to come into its locking position, the light source is maintained

  applied against the support and against the reflector by more

  elastic arms distributed around the periphery and acting

on the pellet.

  Such a fastening system is known according to the

  document DE 29 39 328 Ai. In this fastening system, the re-

  flector has an opening and a housing surrounding

  this one with support. The plateau of the base of the source lu-

  miner comes against this support in the longitudinal direction

  nale. The reflector has a locking element rotating around the longitudinal axis of the light source

  between an unlocking position and a locking position

  rusting. The light source can be placed in the

  ment of the reflector when its locking element is in the unlocked position; the light source comes against the support of the reflector by three elements projecting from its

  base plate, these elements projecting radially.

  The locking element comprises three elastic arms cor-

  corresponding to the projections on the base plate of the light source

  leafminer; when the locking element is rotated

  in its locked position, the projections pass through

  above the arms and thus hold the light source in the reflector while holding the base of its base against the support. This fixing system guarantees fixing with a retaining force acting regularly on the base plate, only if several radial projections are provided on the plate. Advantages of the invention The object of the present invention is to remedy these drawbacks and to this end relates to a fixing system of the type defined above, characterized in that the elastic arms form part of a fixing ring, not rotating,

  separate, mounted between the reflector and the glass element

  rusting, the locking element has an extension

  surrounding the elastic arms, the inner side of the extension

  ment comprises cams rising radially inwards,

  in the locking direction, the number of cams corresponds

  corresponding to that of the elastic arms of the fixing ring, the elastic arms of the fixing ring are provided in the radial direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the light source, in the unlocked position of the locking element, so that the tray of the base of the light source can pass between the arms, and by doing

  turn the locking element to bring it into its posi-

  locking cam, the cams pass over the elastic arms

  and move these radially inward to

  that they pass on the plateau of the pellet.

  The fixing system according to the invention offers the advantage of better fixing of the light source

  with a holding force acting regularly on the plate

  pellet. The number of radial projections on the

  base of the light source is in this case unimportant.

  According to another advantageous characteristic, the fixing ring is blocked between the reflector and the locking element fixed to the reflector. This solution offers the advantage of not requiring any fixing means

  additional for the fixing ring.

  According to another advantageous characteristic, the locking element is pivotally fixed on the reflector by at least one screw. This allows fixing

  simple locking element on the reflector.

  According to another advantageous characteristic,

  the ends of the elastic arms which act on the plate

  of the base of the light source have inclined sides so that, under the effect of the displacement of the elastic arms by the cams, these exert a force directed radially inwards on the plate to apply it against the support . This solution guarantees the application of the

  the socket of the light source against the support.

  According to another advantageous characteristic, the locking element comprises an elastic hooking element which hooks to the reflector when the locking element is in the unlocked position and / or in the locked position, and blocks the rotation element locking,

  the attachment of the attachment element can be overcome by the application of a corresponding torque to be able to rotate the locking element. This feature prevents any accidental rotation of the glass element.

  rusting. According to another advantageous characteristic, the fixing ring comprises, in addition to the spring arms, at least one elastic hooking arm which, when placed

  the light source in the housing, the glass element

  rusting in unlocked position, can be removed

  by the base of the light source, and which, when the

  the level of the base of the light source is applied against the support, acts with pretension on the base and retains the

  light source so that it cannot fall out of the housing.

  Thus, the light source, as soon as it is placed in the housing is already fixed beforehand and can no longer fall before even the locking element is turned in its

locking position.

  According to yet other advantageous characteristics, the fixing ring is made of sheet metal, while the arms

  elastic and, if necessary, the suspension arm, are

  read by deformation of the ring; the locking element

is made of plastic.

  Drawings The present invention will be described below in more detail with the aid of an exemplary embodiment

  shown schematically in the accompanying drawings in the-

  which: - Figure 1 is an exploded view of a reflector and a

  system for attaching a light source to the reflector

tor,

  - Figure 2 is a rear view of the reflector with an element

  locking element belonging to the fixing system, in the unlocked position, - Figure 3 is a rear view of the reflector, the locking element being in the locking position, - Figure 4 is a view of the locking element according to the direction of arrow IV in FIG. 1, FIG. 5 is a section along line VV of the reflector

according to figure 3.

  Description of the exemplary embodiment

  Figures 1 to 5 show a reflector 10 of a

  headlamp, in particular a motor vehicle headlamp.

  The reflector 10 is installed in a manner not shown in the body also not shown of the projector. As

  As shown in FIG. 5, the reflector 10 has, on its side

  front tee, a reflecting surface 12 curved in a

  cellar; it is made of plastic, for example of thermosetting or thermoplastic material, injected. The

  reflector 10 may include several partial zones

  with different lighting functions and to which

  associated with a clean light source.

  At its top, the reflector 10 comprises

  carries an opening 14 in which is housed a light source

  miner 16. The light source 16 can be an incandescent lamp, for example a halogen lamp of the HI, H3, H4, H7 type, or a gas discharge lamp. In the embodiment described below, the light source 16 is an H7 type incandescent lamp having a base provided with a

  substantially circular plate 18, with however at its peri

  hole part cut 19 having a projection 20 directed substantially radially with respect to the longitudinal axis of the light source 16. Two connection pins 22 protrude towards the rear of the base of the light source

  16; they serve for the electrical connection of the light source 16 and engage in a socket not shown.

  The light source 16 is fixed to the reflector (or in the reflector) 10 using a

  s fastening system which will be described below. The rear side of the reflector has a hollow cylindrical housing 24 in-

  turning its opening 14 to receive the cylindrical segment 25 of the base of the light source 16. When the light source 16 is put in place, its cylindrical segment 25 of the base is centered in the housing 24. The longitudinal axis of the housing

  24 coincides at least approximately with the longitudinal axis

  nal 17 of the light source 16 so that, below, we

  will merge the longitudinal axis 17 with that of the housing 24.

  The front end of the housing 24, not facing the re-

  flector 10, forms a support 26 for the plate 18 of the base

  the light source 16, support against which comes in applica-

  tion this plate, in the direction of the longitudinal axis 17

  of the light source 16. One can have several nozzles

  left at the front end of the periphery of the housing 24 to form the support 26. On the outside of the housing 24, two ribs 28 project from the rear side of the reflector 10 and between them there is a groove 29 into which the projection 20 of the plate 18 of the base penetrates when the light source 16 is placed in the housing 24. The light source 16 can only be placed in this position of rotation in the housing 24 by virtue of the ribs 28, position in which its projecting part 20 enters the groove 29; this avoids any positioning error during assembly

of the light source 16.

  The rear side of the reflector 10 comprises in or

  three domes 30, substantially diametrically opposite, which also surround the housing 24 and the front faces of which each have a bore 31. Each front face of a dome 30 also has each time a boss in the form of a spacer 33, the width is less than the diameter of the dome 30. The spacers 33 are distributed at least approximately over

  an arc. In the peripheral areas between the do-

  mes 30, the rear side of the reflector 10 has other ribs 34 whose surfaces face radially towards

  the outside are situated at least approximately on an arc of a circle coaxial with the arc of a circle of the spacers 33. The surfaces of the ribs 28 facing radially outward are preferably also at least approximately

  tively distributed over a circular arc coaxial with the circular arc of the spacers 33. The domes 30 are located on a circular arc of larger diameter than that of the ribs 33, 34. The rear side of the reflector 10 forms a support 36 surrounding the ribs 28, 34 and the domes 30; this support is

  at least substantially planar and perpendicular to the long axis

  tudinal 17 of the housing 24. The rear side of the reflector 10 also includes another rib 38 situated on a circle of larger diameter than that of the ribs 28, 34. The rib 38 has on its inner side turned radially towards

  inside, two cavities 39 separated in the peri- direction

  spherical and which form substantially parallel grooves

to the longitudinal axis 17.

  The rear side of the reflector 10 receives a fixing ring 40 which is part of the fixing system of the light source 16. The fixing ring 40 has a contour

  adapted to the rear side of the reflector 10 and surrounds the ribs

  res 28, 34 as well as the domes 30, and comes against the support 36. At the domes 30, the fixing ring 40 comprises

  protrusions 41 as shown in FIG. 1. The edge

  of the fixing ring 40 has three elastic arms

  ticks 42 distributed over its periphery and whose free ends deviate from the reflector 10. The elastic arms 42

  are movable elastically in the radial direction with respect to

  port to the longitudinal axis 17 of the housing 24. The free ends of the elastic arms 42 are bent in the manner of hollow profiles as shown in Figures 1 and 5; these arms have sides 43 facing towards the reflector 10 and inclined to move radially inwardly by

  relative to reflector 10 (see FIG. 5).

  The edges 44 of the ends of the elastic arms 42, turned anti-clockwise when looking at the rear side of the reflector 10 in the direction of the longitudinal axis 17, are inclined so as to move radially towards the interior counterclockwise to form a ramp. The elastic arms 42 are distributed irregularly at the periphery of the fixing ring 40 and, when the ring 40 is placed against the reflector 10, the latter comes next to the ribs 28, 34. The irregular distribution of the elastic arms 42 guarantees that the fixing ring 40 can only be placed on the reflector 10 in one position of

  rotation. Thanks to the elastic arms 42 coming between the nerves

  vures 28, 34 and the protrusions 41 surrounding the domes 30, the fixing ring 40 is locked integrally in rotation relative to the longitudinal axis 17 when installed

on the reflector 10.

  The inner edge of the fixing ring 40

  also carries a hooking arm 45, the li-

  bre is directed opposite the reflector 10. When the fixing ring 15 is installed on the reflector 10, the hooking arm 45 is located in the groove 29 between the two ribs 28. The free end 46 of the arm 45 is

  curved radially inward as shown in Figure

  gure 5. When the light source 16 is placed in the lo-

  24, the fixing ring 40 being on the

  reflector 10, the projecting part 20 of the light source

  neuse, entering the groove 29, passes over the inclined part of the hooking arm 45 and resiliently repels

  one that is radially outward, which

  puts the protruding part 20 to pass over it. When the plate 18 of the base of the light source 16 is

  against the support 26, the hooking arm 45 hangs radially

  inwardly over the protruding part 20.

  When the light source 16 is extracted from the housing 24, its protruding part 20 again slides over the surface

  inclined or ramp of the suspension arm 45 and repels it

  this radially outward, which allows the part in

  projection 20 to pass. The fixing ring 40 is preferably

  sheet metal and the elastic arms 42, as well as the arm

  hooking 45, are shaped by bending.

  Another part of the system for fixing the light source 16 against the rear of the reflector 10 is constituted by a locking element 50. This element of

  locking 50 of annular shape, has an edge 51 direct

  ge radially inward and which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 17 of the housing 24. The edge 51 has protuberances 52 at the domes 30 of the reflector 10, to cap the domes 30. The protrusions 52 each have an oblong hole 53 through which the spacer 33 of each dome 30 passes. The oblong holes 53 of the locking element 50 have a curvature at least substantially equal to that of the spacers 33. The locking element 50 is fixed to the reflector 10 at using two screws 54. Each screw 54 passes through an oblong hole 53 of the locking element 50 and is housed in a bore 31 of the dome 30. The screws 54 have a head whose diameter is greater than the width of the 'spacer 33 and oblong holes 53. The screws 54 penetrate into the drillings 31 until their head 55 rests against the front face of the spacers 33. The heads 55 of the screws 54 thus protrude from the protuberances 52 of the lock element lage 50 next to the oblong holes 53, fixing this

  element on the reflector 10, in the direction of the long axis

  gitudinal 17 of the housing 24, while allowing pivoting about the longitudinal axis 17. The protrusions 52 of the locking element 50 may comprise, alongside the oblong holes 53, ramps 56 rising in the direction of

  the longitudinal axis 17 while being directed in the direction

  milking clockwise at the ends of the holes

oblong 53.

  At the ribs 28, the edge 51 of the locking element 50 has an increase in section 57 so that the groove 29 remains open between the ribs 28. The increase in section 57 corresponds to a greater width in the peripheral direction that the ribs 28 to allow the locking element 50 to

  rotate around the longitudinal axis 17. The element of ver-

  rusting 50 has a substantially shaped extension 58

  of hollow cylinder, which surrounds the ribs 28, 34 of the reflective

  tor 10. In its pivoting around the longitudinal axis 17,

  the locking element 50 is guided by the spacers 33 penetrating the oblong holes 53 and by the ribs 28, 34 inside the extension 58.

  The inner side of the element extension 58

  locking 50 comprises three cams 60 rising radially-

  inward; these cams are distributed in a way which corresponds to the elastic arms 42 as shown in FIG. 4. When looking at the locking element 50 according to FIG. 4, the cams 60 have on each edge a ramp 61 turned counterclockwise. The extension 58 of the locking element 50 is provided with an elastic hooking element 62 (FIG. 1) in the form of an arm. This arm is formed by two slots

  carried out in the extension 58, starting from the front face

  tale of the extension 58 turned towards the reflector 10, and integral with the extension 58 at its opposite end

  to the reflector 10. The hooking element 62 is movable elas-

  tick in the radial direction with respect to the long axis

gitudinal 17.

  The mounting of the fixing system and of the light source 16 will be described below. For mounting the fixing system, first place the fixing ring 40 against the rear side of the reflector 10 so that it comes against the support 36 and that its elastic arms 42 and the latching arm 45 are directed opposite the reflector 10. The fixing ring 40 can only be installed in a position of orientation in rotation on the reflector 10, as has already been indicated. Then, the locking element 50 is placed with its extension 58 facing forwards, over the domes 30 and the ribs 28, 34, 38, against the reflector 10. The locking element 50 cannot be mounted

  only in an orientation of rotation in which the

  rods 33 of the domes 30 of the reflector 10 pass through the oblong holes 53 of the element. The locking element 50 can only be installed in a rotational position in which its cams 60 are offset in the peripheral direction by

  relative to the elastic arms 42 of the fixing ring 40.

  This defines a unique rotational position in which it

  the locking element 50 must be mounted. Then, the locking element 50 is fixed to the reflector 10 using the screws 54, thereby mounting the fixing ring 40 between the front end of the extension 58 of the worm element

  rusting 50 on the side of the reflector 10, and the support 36 of the reflector

  flector 10. The front end of the extension 58 of the locking element 50 comprises several axial projections 59 distributed around its periphery so that the fixing ring 40 is not pressed against the support 36 over its entire periphery, but only on the projections 59 provided in

peripheral areas.

  The hooking element 62 of the glass element

  rusting 50 is placed in the required rotation position

  to mount it to enter the cavity 39 of the

  rib 38, counterclockwise

  be. The rib 38 is located outside the extension 58 of the locking element 50. The rotational position for mounting the locking element 50 is the unlocking position in which the elastic arms 42 of the ring fixing 40 are not influenced by the locking element 50. The elastic arms 42 are then at a distance from the longitudinal axis 17 of the housing 24, such that the plate 18 of the base of the light source 16 can pass between these elastic arms. The locking element

  is shown in the unlocked position in Figure 2.

  When the locking element 50 is in its unlocking position described above, the light source 16 can be placed in the housing 24. The cylindrical segment 25 of the base of the light source 16 comes into the housing 24 and the part protruding 20 enters the groove 29. During the installation of the light source 16, the projecting part 20 pushes the latching arm 45 of the fixing ring 40 outwards until the plate 18 of the base of the light source 16 is applied against the support 26; the hooking arm 45 then hooks against the projecting part 20 and temporarily retains the

  light source 16 so that it cannot fall from the

  it lies 24. When the light source 16 is placed in the housing 24, the locking element 50 can be rotated clockwise according to the arrow shown in FIG. 2 (this direction is that obtained when '' we look at the back of the reflector 10) to move into position

lock.

  Figure 3 shows the locking member 50 in its locked position. When the locking element 50 is rotated to bring it into its locking position, the cams 60 of its extension 58 slide

  by their ramps 61 and the inclined edges 44, on the ends

  mites of the elastic arms 42 of the fixing ring 40. The elastic arms 42 are thus pushed radially inwards relative to the longitudinal axis 17 to pass over the plate 18 of the base of the light source 16 and s '' press their sides 43 against the plate 18. The

  inclined shape of the flanks 43 generates, during their movement

  ment, a force acting radially inwards on the plate 18 in the direction of the longitudinal axis 17 for the

  push against the support 26 of the reflector 10. The light source

  neuse 16 is thus clamped and locked against the reflector 10 by the elastic arms 42 tensioned by the cams 60 of

the locking element 50.

  Thanks to the ramps 56 next to the oblong holes 53

  of the locking element 50, this element 50 turned in position

  locking position is moved by the heads 55 of the screws

  54 towards the reflector 10, in the direction of the longitu-

  dinal 17. As the fixing ring 40 is pressed by the projections 59 against the support 36, the ring 40 can deform

  elastically between the projections 59 when the elastic arms

  that 42 return elastically to the peripheral zones

  ques, to thus adapt to the position of the plate 18 of the

  light source 16. When the glass element is rotated

  rusting 50 to bring it into its locked position, its hooking element 62 moves elastically, in passing

  of the rib 39, inwards and, in the position of ver-

  rusting, the hooking element 62 returns towards the outside

  in the cavity 39 of the rib 38, according to the direction of the ai-

  watch faces; thus the locking element 50 is

  protected against accidental rotation. It is also possible to provide for the attachment of the element 62 radially inwards against the external side of the ribs 38.5. The rotational movement of the element of ver-

  rusting 50 is limited in both directions of rotation

  that the edges of the oblong holes 53 of the glass element

  rusting 50, turned in the direction of rotation, come in

  support against the edges of the spacers 33 of the domes 30, direct

in the direction of rotation.

  As a variant, the locking element 50 may also include additional stops which come

  for example pressing against the heads 55 of the screws 54.

  To dismantle the light source, just

  rotate the locking element 50 in the opposite direction

  milking clockwise to pass it in po-

  unlocking position; the elastic arms 42 of the fixing ring 40 are again moved apart and the plate 18 of the

  base of the light source 16 can pass between the arms.

  By extracting the light source 16 from the housing 24, its projecting part 20 pushes the latching arm 45 outward allowing the extraction of the light source 16 from the housing 24. By turning the locking element 50

  to bring it into its locked position, with a

  ple sufficient, it exceeds the attachment of the element 62 in the cavity 39 of the rib 38; the hooking element 62

  thus elastically escapes inward in the direction

  tion radially and passes over the rib 38. In the position of

  locking, the hooking element 62 hooks again into the cavity 39 of the rib 38, in the opposite direction

  clockwise, which also prevents any ro-

  accidental tation of the locking element 50 in its

locking position.

Claims (7)

R E V E N D I C A T IONS   1) System for fixing a light source in a   projector flector, comprising: - a reflector (10) having an opening (14) and a housing (24) surrounding the latter to receive the base (25) of the light source (16), - a support (26) against which applies the plate (18) of the base of the light source (16) in the direction of the longitudinal axis (17) of the light source (16), and - a locking element (50) fixed on the reflector (10) by rotation between an unlocking position and a locking position, system in which the light source (16) is placed in the housing (24) when the locking element (50) is in the unlocked position and, by rotation of the locking element (50) to come into its position   the light source is kept applied   quée against the support (26) and against the reflector (10) by several elastic arms (42) distributed at the periphery and acting on the base, characterized in that the elastic arms (42) are part of a ring fixing (40), non-rotating, separate, mounted between the reflector (10) and the locking element (50), the locking element (50) has an extension (58) surrounding the elastic arms (42), the inner side of the extension comprises cams (60) rising radially inwards, in the locking direction, the number of cams corresponding to that of the elastic arms (42) of the fixing ring (40), the elastic arms ( 42) of the fixing ring (40) are   provided in the radial direction with respect to the longitu-   dinal (17) of the light source 16, in the unlocked position   rusting of the locking element (50), so that the   tray (18) of the base of the light source (16) cannot   between your arms, and by rotating the element   lock (50) to bring it into its position of ver-   rusting, the cams (60) pass over the elastic arms (42) and move them radially inward to   that they pass over the plate (18) of the base.   2) fastening system according to claim 1, characterized in that the fixing ring (40) is blocked between the reflector (10)   and the locking element (50) fixed to the reflector (10).   3) fastening system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the locking element (50) is fixed free to pivot   on the reflector (10) by at least one screw (54).   4) Fixing system according to any one of the claims.   1 to 3, characterized in that the ends of the elastic arms (42) which act on the plate (18) of the base of the light source (16) have inclined sides (43) so that, under the effect of displacement elastic arms (42) by the cams (60), these exert a force directed radially inwards on the plate   (18) to apply it against the support (26).    ) Fastening system according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking element (50) comprises an elastic hooking element (62), which hooks to the reflector (10) when the locking element (50 ) is in position   unlocked and / or in the locked position, and locks in ro-   tation the locking element (50), the attachment of the attachment element (62) can be   defeated by the application of a corresponding couple for   see rotate the locking element (50).   6) fastening system according to claim 1, characterized in that   the fixing ring (40) comprises, in addition to the spring arms   exit (42), at least one elastic hooking arm (45) which, when the light source (16) is placed in the housing   (24), the locking element (50) being in the unlocked position   rusty, can be removed by the base (20) of the light source   miner (16) and which, when the plate (18) of the base of the light source (16) is applied against the support (26), acts   with preload on the base (20) and retains the light source   miner (16) so that it cannot fall from the housing (24).   7) Fixing system according to claim 1, characterized in that the fixing ring (40) is made of sheet metal, while the elastic arms (42) and, where appropriate, the hooking arm, are   made by deformation of the ring.   8) fastening system according to claim 1, characterized in that   the locking element (50) is made of plastic.