High intensity discharge headlamp assembly
US5659221A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 26, 1996 |
| Grant date | Aug 19, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 26, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01J61/56
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Lamp assemblies, typically utilized in vehicle headlamps, include an arc discharge lamp, a base assembly and a mounting flange. The discharge lamp and the base assembly are movable relative to the mounting flange during focusing and are secured in a fixed position relative to the mounting flange following focusing of the discharge lamp. In a first embodiment, the base assembly includes a base, a wedge for holding the discharge lamp and an igniter attached to the base. An RF ring is located in a channel between the base and the mounting flange. The RF ring is fused to the base and to the mounting flange following focusing. In a second embodiment, the mounting flange and the base have mating spherical surfaces which permit a light-emitting portion of the discharge lamp to be moved laterally with respect to the mounting flange axis during focusing. In a third embodiment, the igniter is attached to the mounting flange and is electrically connected to the discharge lamp by flexible electrical leads, thereby permitting the mounting flange and igniter to be moved relative to the base assembly and the discharge lamp during focusing.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.