Claims:1. A headlamp device (150) for a vehicle (100), wherein said headlamp device (150) comprises:
a housing member (157);
a primary illumination unit (155) disposed within the housing member (157) and comprising a light source (300); and
a secondary illumination unit (156) disposed within the housing member (157) and above the light source (300), in a non-reflective zone of the housing member (157).
2. The headlamp device (150) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the non-reflective zone of the housing member (157) includes an upper rear portion (166) of the housing member (157).
3. The headlamp device (150) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the secondary illumination unit (156) comprises a boomerang shaped housing (180) having left and right extended arms (182L, 182R).
4. The headlamp device (150) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the left and right extended arms (181L, 181R) house a left and right daylight running lamps (182L, 182R).
5. The headlamp device (150) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the boomerang shaped housing (180) comprises a central portion (183) that bridges the left and right extended arms (182L, 182R).
6. The headlamp device (150) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the boomerang shaped housing (180) comprises a secondary reflective surface (159).
7. The headlamp device (150) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the secondary reflective surface (159) is formed behind a left and right daylight running lamps (182L, 182R).
8. The headlamp device (150) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing member (157) is a primary reflector member for the primary illumination unit (155).
9. The headlamp device (150) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing member (157) encompassing the primary illumination unit (155) and the secondary illumination unit (156) is covered by a single lens member (158).
10. The headlamp device (150) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the secondary illumination unit (156) is disposed away from an optical zone including a low beam zone lying above lines L connected to side walls of the housing member (157), and a high beam zone lying below line H connecting points of contact of lines L with the side walls of the housing member (157).
11. The headlamp device (150) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the secondary illumination unit (156) comprises a pair of circuit boards (185) holding a plurality of LEDs and a circuit driver (186) disposed in a rear portion of the boomerang shaped housing (180) and covered by a housing member (157) of the headlamp device (150).
12. The headlamp device (150) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the left and right extended arms (181L, 181R) are formed with a secondary reflective surface (159) behind the left and right daylight running lamps (182L,182R).
, Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter generally relates to a headlamp device for a vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Automotive vehicles are typically equipped with multiple lighting devices for illumination purposes. Typically included on a vehicle is a headlamp device that projects light forwardly of the vehicle and onto the road to enable night time driving. The headlamp device is typically constituted by one or more light bulbs or light emitting diodes (LEDs). The one or more light bulbs or LEDs are positioned behind a lens, within a housing, especially in a central portion of the housing, wherein the lens and the housing also constitute as parts of the headlamp device.
[0003] In contemporary vehicles, apart from the headlamp device, one or more daytime running lamps are provided for daytime use, to increase the visibility of the vehicle in daylight. Daytime running lamps are typically either disposed outside the headlamp device or within the headlamp device. However, whether the daytime running lamps are disposed outside the headlamp device or within the headlamp device, the positioning of the daytime running lamps with respect to the headlamp device in a front portion of the vehicle becomes critical to ensure conspicuity of the vehicle.
[0004] In a known art, the daytime running lamps are positioned within the headlamp device, particularly on the left and right sides of the light source of the headlamp device, in line with a central axis of the light source. However, disposing the daytime running lamps on the left and right sides of the headlamp, in line with a central axis of the light source, and especially within the headlamp device, affects the reliability and durability of the LEDs used in the daylight running lamps because of the heat generated by the light source.
[0005] Also, the effective optical area of the headlamp device gets compromised when daylight running lamps along with reflectors are disposed on either sides of the light source, especially along the central axis of the light source. For example, when the daylight running lamps are disposed on either side of the primary light source, along a central axis of the light source; if the daylight running lamps are switched OFF when the primary illumination unit is switched ON, a dark patch will be conspicuous on either sides of the primary light source, thereby consuming a significant portion of the primary reflecting surface of the headlamp device. As a result, the illumination range/light spread (width) of the headlamp device would be affected. A similar effect would also be observed when the daylight running lamps are removed from the headlamp device based on requirements.
[0006] Moreover, the two daylight running lamps are provided with independent reflectors apart from a main reflector for the light source, thus adding to the number of components in the headlamp device. Also, each of the reflectors have to meet high tolerance requirements independently and any variance affects the performance of the headlamp device as a whole. Therefore, a need arises for designing a headlamp device that can overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks and other problems known in the art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The detailed description has been described with reference to an embodiment of a saddle-type motorcycle along with the accompanying figures. The same numbers have been used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components.
[0008] Fig.1 is a front perspective view of the saddle-type vehicle comprising a headlamp device in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0009] Fig.2 is a front view of the headlamp device as secured to a headlamp casing assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[00010] Fig.3 is a front view of a housing member of the headlamp device in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[00011] Fig.4a is an exploded view depicting internal features of the headlamp device in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[00012] Fig.4b is an exploded view depicting an installation of a secondary illumination unit to portion of the headlamp device as per an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[00013] Fig.5 is a front view of the secondary illumination unit as per an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[00014] Fig.6 is a front view of the housing member housing the secondary illumination unit as per an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[00015] Fig.7 is a rear view depicting parts of the secondary illumination unit as per an embodiment of the present subject matter
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[00016] Typically, vehicles are provided with a headlamp device for illuminating the road ahead, especially for illumination during night time driving. Apart from the headlamp device, contemporary vehicles include additional lighting units including daylight running lamps for daytime use. The daylight running lamps may be disposed either outside the headlamp device or within the headlamp device that houses the primary illumination unit in the form of light sources or LEDs. In cases where the daylight running lamps are disposed within the headlamp device having the primary illumination unit in the form of light sources, the position of the daylight running lamps with respect to the light sources becomes critical to ensure that the optical effectiveness of the primary illumination unit is not compromised due to the proximity of the daylight running lamps.
[00017] With the above objectives in view, the present subject matter, provides a headlamp device including a primary illumination unit and a secondary illumination unit disposed in a compact manner within a housing member. The headlamp device further comprises a lens to cover the housing member encompassing the primary illumination unit and the secondary illumination unit. As per an embodiment, the housing member is a primary reflector member of the headlamp device and serves as the primary reflector member for the primary illumination unit that is provided with a light source. Light emitted by the primary illumination unit is reflected by the reflective surface of the housing member.
[00018] As per an aspect of the present subject matter, the secondary illumination unit is disposed in an upper rear portion of the housing member and above the primary illumination unit. As per one more aspect of the present subject matter, the secondary illumination unit is an integrated illumination unit comprising a boomerang shaped housing having left and right extended arms, and left and right daylight illumination lamps housed in said left and right extended arms. A central portion of the boomerang shaped housing bridges the left and right extended arms that house the left and right daylight illumination lamps, thereby ensuring that the secondary illumination unit functions as a single integrated illumination unit performing primary illumination function as well as daylight illumination function. The positioning of the secondary illumination unit in a non-reflective zone of the housing member, and above the primary illumination unit, and the boomerang shape of the secondary illumination unit, ensures that the secondary illumination unit does not overlap with/ extend into the optical region/reflective zone of the primary illumination unit. As a result, the optical effectiveness in terms of the low beam spread and high beam spread of the headlamp device is not compromised. Additionally, since the secondary illumination unit is placed above and away from the light source of the headlamp device, heat dissipated by the light source does not cause damage to the LEDs constituting the left and right daylight running lamps. Therefore, durability and reliability of the left and right daylight running lamps is ensured. Moreover, the boomerang shape of the housing of the secondary illumination unit also ensures that the secondary illumination unit is compactly secured within the headlamp device.
[00019] Additionally, as per one more aspect of the present subject matter, the construction of the secondary illumination unit is such that reflecting surfaces for the left and right daylight illumination lamps are formed in the left and right extended arms, just behind the left and right daylight illumination lamps. The integrated construction of the secondary illumination unit ensures that the left and right daylight illumination lamps are provided with independent reflective surfaces while at the same time ensuring that the reflective surfaces are formed in the same housing that accommodates both the left and right daylight illumination lamps, thereby eliminating the need for providing two separate reflective members on each side of the headlamp device independently. Further, the secondary illumination unit is configured to have only a single circuit driver for controlling the functioning of both the left and right daylight illumination lamps. Thus, the number of components used in the headlamp device is also reduced.
[00020] Therefore, the construction of the headlamp device as per the present subject matter overcomes the drawbacks of the state-of-the-art headlamp devices and provides several technical advantages.
[00021] Various other features and advantages of the invention are described in detail below with reference to an embodiment of a saddle type motorcycle along with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers generally indicate identical, functionally similar, and/or structurally similar elements.
[00022] With reference to FIG.1, a description is made of an entire schematic structure of a vehicle 100. Fig.1 especially exemplifies the vehicle 100 as a motorcycle. The motorcycle 100 includes a body frame 101 to support different parts of said motorcycle 100. A head pipe (not shown) is provided at a front end of the body frame 101. The head pipe supports a steering shaft (not shown) rotatably in a certain range. In an upper portion of the head pipe, a handlebar 102 is rotatably integrally connected to the steering shaft. The handlebar 102 is used to steer the motorcycle 100 and is connected to a front wheel 103 through a front fork assembly 104. The front fork assembly 104 in turn is connected to said handlebar 102 by means of a pair of upper and lower brackets (not shown). The front fork assembly 104 is further supported partially on a front fender 105 and is connected to the front wheel 103. An upper portion of the front wheel 103 is covered by the front fender 105 which prevents mud and water from getting deflected towards an upper portion of the front fork assembly 104.
[00023] In a front portion of the body frame 101 a fuel tank 110 is arranged immediately behind the handlebar 102 and is disposed over a main frame member (not shown) of said body frame and above an engine 115. In an embodiment where a fuel pump is provided, the fuel tank 110 constituting a part of a fuel supply system supplies fuel to an internal combustion engine, hereinafter ‘engine’ 115 through the fuel pump which also forms a part of said supply system. In another embodiment where the fuel pump is absent, the fuel tank 110 supplies fuel to the engine 115 through a carburettor (not shown).
[00024] A seat 120 is placed behind the fuel tank 110. The seat 120 includes a front rider portion and rear pillion portion. Whereas in one embodiment, said front rider portion and said rear pillion portion are provided as separate seat portion, in another embodiment, said front rider portion and said rear pillion portion are provided as a single seat portion.
[00025] For safety of the rider and in conformance with the traffic rules, a headlamp device 150 and a pair of turn signal lamp units 160 is provided in a front portion of the motorcycle 100. The headlamp device 150 and the pair of turn signal lamp units 160 are housed in a headlamp casing assembly 200 (shown in Fig.2).
[00026] Suspension systems are provided for comfortable steering of the motorcycle 100 on the road. The front fork assembly 104, which forms the front suspension system, serves as rigidity component just like the body frame 101. The front fork assembly 104 clamped to the head pipe through an upper bracket (not shown) and a lower bracket (not shown) is capable of being moved to the left and right. Further, a rear suspension system, which is a hydraulic damped arrangement, is connected to the body frame 101 at a rear portion thereof. Particularly, at the rear portion of the body frame 101, a rear wheel 130 is suspended by the rear suspension system.
[00027] The engine 115 is mounted to a front lower portion of the body frame 101 by means of a front engine mounting bracket 117. The engine 115 is equipped with an exhaust system that includes an exhaust pipe (not shown) connected to the engine 115 and a muffler (not shown) connected to the exhaust pipe. The muffler (not shown) extends rearwards along the right side of the rear wheel 130.
[00028] Power from the engine 115 is transmitted to the rear wheel 130 through a transmission assembly 116, so as to drive and rotate the rear wheel 130. Particularly, speed change is achieved by operation of a gear shift linkage assembly (not shown) which is operatively connected to a gear shift shaft (not shown) of said transmission assembly 116.
[00029] Thus, power from the engine 115 is transmitted to the rear wheel 130 rotatably supported at a rear end of a swing arm 140. A rear fender 145 for covering an upper side of the rear wheel 130 is mounted to a rear portion of body frame 101 to prevent mud and water splashed by the rotating rear wheel 130 from entering the muffler, the engine 115 and other parts disposed close by. The transmission assembly 116 includes a gearbox containing gear train and a drive mechanism connecting the gearbox to the rear wheel 130. Particularly, the gear train includes the gear shift shaft, and a plurality of gears, each having a varying gear ratio.
[00030] To enhance the overall aesthetics of the motorcycle 100 and to prevent undesired foreign particles from entering parts of the motorcycle, a plurality of rear covers 170 is attached to a rear portion of the body frame 101.
[00031] Fig.2 illustrates a front view of the headlamp device 150 as per an embodiment of the present subject matter. The headlamp device 150 is held in a front portion of the head tube. Particularly, the headlamp device 150 is secured to the head tube of the body frame 101 through a headlamp casing assembly 200. The headlamp casing assembly 200 as per the present embodiment also receives a pair of turn signal lamp units 160, a visor 201, and a speedometer (not shown). According to an embodiment of the present invention, the headlamp casing assembly 200 includes a front housing cover 202, a rear housing cover 203 and a mounting stay 204. The mounting stay 204 detachably attaches the front housing cover 202 to the rear housing cover 203. Particularly, while the headlamp device 150 and the visor 201 are mounted to the front housing cover 202, the pair of turn signal lamp units 160, and the speedometer (not shown) are mounted to the rear housing cover 203. Further, the front housing cover 202 is also adapted to receive a number plate (not shown) at a bottom portion thereof.
[00032] Fig.3 illustrates a front view of the headlamp device in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. Fig.3 particularly illustrates a front view of a housing member of the headlamp device in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[00033] As per an embodiment of the present subject matter and as may be seen in Fig.3, the headlamp device 150 comprises a primary illumination unit 155 and a secondary illumination unit 156. In the present embodiment, the primary illumination unit 155 includes a light source 300 and the secondary illumination unit 156 includes left and right daylight running lamps 182L, 182R. Both the primary illumination unit 155 and the secondary illumination unit 156 are housed within a housing member 157 of the headlamp device 150. In the present embodiment, the housing member 157 is a primary reflector member of the headlamp device 150 and serves as the primary reflector member for the primary illumination unit 155 that includes a light source 300.
[00034] Fig.4a illustrates an exploded perspective view of the headlamp device 150 depicting the primary illumination unit 155 and the secondary illumination unit 156 as housed in the housing member 157. As may be seen, the housing member 157 housing the primary illumination unit 155 and the secondary illumination unit 156 is covered by a lens member 158. Thus, the headlamp device 150 including the primary illumination unit 155 and the secondary illumination unit 156 has a single lens member 158 for imaging light emitted from both the primary illumination unit 155 and the secondary illumination unit 156 and reflected by the respective reflective surfaces of the primary illumination unit 155 and the secondary illumination unit 156 for generating a predetermined illumination pattern. In the present embodiment and as may be seen in Fig.4a, while the housing member 157 serves as the reflective surface for the primary illumination unit 155, a secondary reflective surface 159 that is independent of the housing member 157 and that is formed behind the left and right daylight running lamps 182L, 182R (shown in Fig.5) serves as the reflective surface for the secondary illumination unit 156. Particularly, the secondary reflective surface 159 is formed in the left and right extended arms 181L, 181R of the boomerang shaped housing 180, behind the left and right daylight running lamps 182L, 182R.
[00035] Fig.4b illustrates an exploded perspective view depicting installation of the secondary illumination unit 156 to the housing member 157 of the headlamp device 150. As per an aspect of the present invention, the secondary illumination unit 156 is disposed in a non-reflective zone of the housing member 157. Particularly, in the present embodiment, the secondary illumination unit is detachably attached to an upper rear portion 166 of the housing member 157, wherein the upper rear portion 166 constitutes a non-reflective zone of the housing member 157. More particularly, the secondary illumination unit 156 is disposed above the light source 300 (shown in Fig.4a) of the primary illumination unit 155, in the upper rear portion 166 of the housing member 157. A plurality of mounting provisions 175 are provided on a rear side of the secondary illumination unit 156 for mounting to the upper rear portion 166 of the housing member 157.
[00036] Fig.5 illustrates a front view of the secondary illumination unit 156 as per an embodiment of the present subject matter. As may be seen, the secondary illumination unit 156 comprises a boomerang shaped housing 180 having left and right extended arms 181L, 181R and left and right daylight illumination lamps 182L, 182R housed in said left and right extended arms. A central portion 183 of the boomerang shaped housing 180 bridges the left and right extended arms 181L,181R that house the left and right daylight illumination lamps 182L,182R, thereby ensuring that the secondary illumination unit 156 functions as a single integrated illumination unit performing primary illumination function as well as daylight illumination function.
[00037] Thus, owing to the boomerang shaped housing 180, the location of the secondary illumination unit 156 is confined to the upper rear portion 166 of the housing member 157. As a result, it is ensured that the secondary illumination unit 156 does not extend into the optical region of the primary illumination unit 155. In other words, the positioning and the shape of the secondary illumination unit 156 as per the present subject matter ensures that illumination/performance of the primary illumination unit is not affected. Especially, by ensuring that the secondary illumination unit 156 is positioned in an upper portion, above the light source 300, it is ensured that the low beam performance of the primary illumination unit is not affected.
[00038] As may be seen in Fig.6, the secondary illumination unit 156 comprising the left and right daylight illumination lamps 182L, 182R is disposed significantly above the light source 300, away from a low beam zone, which lies above two substantially lateral lines L originating from lateral side walls of the housing member 157, with the lines being substantially perpendicular to the lateral side walls of the housing member 157. The lines L have been indicated next to the light source 300. As a result, the low beam performance of the headlamp device is not affected. Further, the figure also indicates a substantially horizontal line H for indicating the high beam zone of the headlamp device 150. The high beam zone of the headlamp device 150 lies below the horizontal line H connecting the two points of contact of the lines L with the side walls of the housing member 157. Since the high beam zone lying below the line H indicated below the light source 300 is also formed away from the secondary illumination unit 156, the high beam performance of the headlamp device is also not affected. In other words, disposing the secondary illumination unit 156 away from the optical zone of the primary illumination unit 155 ensures that the performance of the primary illumination unit 155 is not affected. Moreover, disposing the secondary illumination unit 156 away from the primary illumination unit 155 also ensures that the left and right daylight running lamps 182L,182R are not affected due to the heat dissipated by the light source 300 of the primary illumination unit 155. Therefore, durability of the left and right daylight running lamps is ensured and the need for frequent replacement of the daylight running lamps is also eliminated.
[00039] Further, the secondary illumination unit 156 is compactly held within the housing member 157. For example, Fig.7 illustrates a rear view of the secondary illumination unit 156. The secondary illumination unit 156 comprises a pair of circuit boards 185 holding a plurality of LEDs. The plurality of LEDs constitutes the left and right daylight running illumination lamps 182L,182R. Further, the secondary illumination unit 156 comprises a circuit driver 186 for ensuring consistent lighting of the LEDs constituting the left and right daylight running lamps 182L, 182R. In the present embodiment, a single circuit driver 186 is provided for the working of both the left and right daylight running lamps 182L,182R. Provision of a single circuit driver ensures compactness of the secondary illumination unit 156. Owing to its compactness, the secondary illumination unit 156 is reliably juxtaposed and held within the housing member 157 of the headlamp device 150 and the components of the secondary illumination unit including the pair of circuit boards 185 and the circuit driver 186 are covered on their rear side by a rear surface of the housing member. As a result, it is ensured that no damage occurs to the components of the secondary illumination unit 156.
[00040] Thus, the construction and the assembly of the secondary illumination unit of the headlamp device as per the teachings of the present subject matter ensures that daylight running lamps can be reliably integrated within a headlamp device, while ensuring reliability. This also helps enable the primary functions of the headlamp device, including the low beam function or low beam light spread (width) and the high beam function or the high beam light spread (width) without any compromise. Moreover, even under circumstances where there is no requirement for the daylight illumination function, the secondary illumination unit can be used for position indication function. Also, based on requirements, the secondary illumination unit can be completely eliminated without causing any change in the normal functioning or the illumination range or the light spread of the headlamp device. Thus, the secondary illumination unit owing to its construction can either be easily retrofitted into any existing headlamp device or can be removed from any existing headlamp device based on requirements, without affecting the basic functioning of the headlamp device.
[00041] As can be made out from the teachings of the present subject matter, the improved design of the headlamp device including the secondary illumination unit is unique and offers several technical advantages.
[00042] Improvements and modifications may be incorporated herein without deviating from the scope of the invention.
Reference Numerals:
100 – Vehicle
101 – Body frame
102 – Handlebar
103 – Front wheel
104 – Front fork assembly
105 – Front fender
110 –Fuel tank
115 – Engine
116 – Transmission assembly
117 – Front engine mounting bracket
120 – Seat
130 – Rear wheel
140 – Swing arm
145 – Rear fender
150 – Headlamp device
155 – Primary illumination unit
156 – Secondary illumination unit
157 – Housing member
158 – Lens member
159 – Secondary reflective surface
160 – Pair of turn signal lamp units
166 – Upper rear portion
170 – Plurality of rear covers
175 – Plurality of mounting provisions
180 – Boomerang shaped housing
181L, 181R – Left and right extended arms
182L, 182R – Left and right daylight running lamps
183 – Central portion
185 – Pair of circuit boards
186 – Circuit Driver