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| WO/2007/144829 | A LIGHT FITTING |
HRIBAR, Marjan (Ropretova pot 16, 1234 Menges, SI)
JUREJEVCIC, Tomaz (Murkova 5, 1000 Ljubljana, SI)
HRIBAR, Marjan (Ropretova pot 16, 1234 Menges, SI)
| PATENT CLAIMS 1. A sealing ring between a casing (1) and adjustable reflector (2) in a motor vehicle light, wherein for the purposes of cooperating with the sealing (3) said reflector (2) is furnished with a smooth and continued circumferential outer sealing surface (23) and the casing (1) is furnished with a smooth and continued circumferential inner sealing surface (14), and wherein the sealing (3) is uniformly conceived and consists of rubber or similar flexible material on the basis of polymers and comprises at least approximately tubular stationary sealing portion (31), which is adapted to cooperate with at least approximately cylindrical and at least approximately coaxially with an optical axis (20) of the reflector (2) extending smooth outer sealing surface (23) of each available reflector (2), as well as a dynamic sealing portion (32), namely a sleeve, which is furnished with a slightly convex outer sealing surface (321) and which is adapted to cooperate with at least approximately cylindrical inner surface (14) of each available casing (1) and protrudes at least approximately in the radial direction outwardly from said stationary sealing portion (31), characterized in that essentially as a circumferentially with respect to the sealing (3) extending and axially with respect to the stationary sealing portion (31) directed and towards the outer surface (321) of the dynamic sealing portion (32) opened recess formed weak portion (33) is foreseen on the one end portion (310') of the stationary sealing portion (31) closely to and apart from the dynamic sealing portion (32), and in that said stationary sealing portion (31) of the sealing (3) is secured against displacement in one or another direction along the optical axis of the reflector (2). 2. Sealing according to Claim 1, characterized in that the inner sealing surface (311) of the stationary sealing portion (31) of the sealing (3) comprises a circumferential groove (34), which is arranged on for cooperation with the sealing (3) foreseen inner sealing surface (31 1) on the end portion (310") located at a greater distance apart from the dynamic sealing portion (32), and which is adapted to cooperate with a circumferential rib (25) protruding outwardly from the abutment surface (23) of the seat (22) of the motor vehicle light reflector (2). 3. Sealing according to Claim 2, characterized in that the stationary sealing portion (31) comprises a radially inwards protruding circumferential rib (312), which is arranged on the end portion (310") located at a greater distance apart from the dynamic sealing area (32) and adjacent to the groove (34) on the inner sealing surface (31 1). 4. Sealing according to anyone of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the thickness of the dynamic sealing portion (32) is decreasing proportionally with the distance apart from the stationary sealing area (31) of the sealing (3). |
The present invention refers to a sealing ring between a casing and adjustable reflector in a motor vehicle light.
According to the International Patent Classification, such inventions belong to the field of transporting, namely to vehicles and in particular to arrangement of signaling or lightning devices and protection of illuminating devices against moisture and impurities. On the other hand, such invention may also refer to mechanical engineering, namely to sealings between relatively-stationary surfaces, which comprise at least one flexible sleeve.
The purpose of the invention is to improve engagement of a sealing sleeve with each sealed surface of the vehicle light in order to increase the reliability of sealing by taking into consideration all practical requirements and by means of simple measures.
A motor vehicle light with a sealing mounted between a casing and a reflector, is described in SI21 197. In this, said sleeve is formed uniformly with said static sealing portion, so that - when observed in a diametrical cross-section - said sleeve is derived from said stationary sealing section like an arm of a letter U or V, by which the thickness of the sleeve is gradually decreasing in a direction from said portion towards its free end portion, which then allows each desired deformability and flexibility of said sleeve i.e. said dynamic sealing portion and herewith of a complete sealing. Moreover, the outwardly facing abutment surface of such sleeve is deflected outwardly, which leads to uniform abutment towards each corresponding opposite surface.
Consequently, such sealing sleeve enables achieving of each desired sealing function between a the casing and the reflector even in such cases, when the position of the reflector has been changed at a relatively small angle, which in the practice normally occurs by adjusting of the position of the reflector due to adjusting appropriate optical conditions of the light.
A step-like abutment edge is foreseen on the outer surface of the reflector for the purposes of placing and positioning of the sealing. The inner abutment surface of the stationary sealing portion, which is facing towards the outer surface of the reflector, is smooth and uniform. Prior to inserting the reflector into the casing, said sealing is mounted onto reflector by means of sliding thereof in the axial direction of the reflector. By inserting the reflector together with the sealing already mounted thereon, said stationary sealing portion is rest on said step-like abutment edge on the outer surface of the reflector, while appropriately deflected sleeve is sliding along the inner surface of the casing, by which the friction between the sleeve and corresponding contact surface results in tensioning the sleeve, by which also the stationary sealing portion is bent in a direction away from the outer surface of the reflector, to which the sealing abuts. Upon inserting the reflector into the casing, the sealing remains deformed, but nevertheless a desired sealing function is herewith ensured between the casing and the reflector. It should however be born in mind that all the time the sealing has a tendency to release back into its relaxed original form. This naturally means that the shape of such deformed stationary sealing portion is changing during the time, which normally has certain influence to the pressure of abutment the sleeve towards the inner surface of the casing. Displacement of sealing in the axial direction of the reflector is limited in one direction only, so that during the time and in particular by adjusting each desired position of the reflector relatively to the casing, the position of the stationary sealing portion on the surface of the reflector may generally also be changed. Both these circumstances may however lead to deficiencies in performing sealing function between the casing and the reflector in a motor vehicle light.
Still further, a sealing is described in US 3,909,019, which also comprises a stationary sealing portion as well as a flexible portion having a convex abutment surface, wherein the transition area between said portion is essentially weak, by which said flexible portion together with its convex abutment surface may easily be pivoted relatively to said stationary sealing portion. The stationary sealing portion is placed on the inner surface of the female sealed part, while the flexible portion is intended for abutment on the outer surface of the male sealed part, which is inserted into said female part providing that appropriate gap is available there-between. In this, said stationary portion is insertable into appropriate groove on the female sealing surface, and the width of said groove needs to be smaller than the width of said portion. Consequently, the stationary portion is appropriately deflected, by which a desired pressure towards the outer surface of the sealed part is then assured. However, due to the required presence of said groove, which must be relatively wide and deep, and by taking into consideration all technical requirements related to motor vehicle lights, the use of such sealing in the field of motor vehicle lights and in the context of the present invention seems not to be feasible at all.
The present invention refers to a sealing ring between a casing and adjustable reflector in a motor vehicle light. For the purposes of cooperating with the sealing, said reflector is furnished with a smooth and continued circumferential outer sealing surface and the casing is furnished with a smooth and continued circumferential inner sealing surface. The sealing is uniformly conceived and consists of rubber or similar flexible material on the basis of polymers and at the one hand comprises at least approximately tubular stationary sealing portion, which is adapted to cooperate with at least approximately cylindrical and at least approximately coaxially with an optical axis of the reflector extending smooth outer sealing surface of each available reflector, and on the other hand a dynamic sealing portion, namely a sleeve, which is furnished with a slightly convex outer sealing surface and which is adapted to cooperate with at least approximately cylindrical inner surface of each available casing and protrudes at least approximately in the radial direction outwardly from said stationary sealing portion.
In accordance with the invention, an essentially as a circumferentially with respect to the sealing extending and axially with respect to the stationary sealing portion directed and towards the outer surface of the dynamic sealing portion opened recess formed weak portion is foreseen on the one end portion of the stationary sealing portion closely to and apart from the dynamic sealing portion. At the same time, said stationary sealing portion of the sealing is secured against displacement in one or another direction along the optical axis of the reflector.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the inner sealing surface of the stationary sealing portion of the sealing comprises a circumferential groove, which is arranged on for cooperation with said sealing adapted inner sealing surface on the end portion located at a greater distance apart from the dynamic sealing portion, and which is adapted to cooperate with a circumferential rib protruding outwardly from the abutment surface of the seat of the motor vehicle light reflector. Besides, the stationary sealing portion comprises a radially inwards protruding circumferential rib, which is arranged on the end portion, which is located at a greater distance apart from the dynamic sealing area and adjacent to the groove on the inner sealing surface. Moreover, the thickness of the dynamic sealing portion is preferably decreasing proportionally with the distance apart from the stationary sealing area of the sealing.
The invention will be described in more detail on the basis of an embodiment, which is shown in the attached drawing, wherein
Fig. 1 is a front view of a motor vehicle light together with an adjustable reflector, which is inserted therein, and also with a sealing ring inserted there-between; Fig. 2 is a cross-section along the plane A - A according to Fig. 1 ; Fig. 3 is a detail B according to Fig. 2; and
Fig. 4 is a diametrical cross-section of undeformed sealing.
A motor vehicle light is shown in Fig. 1, which comprises at least a casing 1 and a reflector 2, which is adjustable in various positions with respect to said casing 1, wherein a seal 3 in accordance with the present invention is inserted between said reflector 2 and said casing 1.
The casing 1 is closed on its front end portion 1 1, when observed in usual driving direction during the use thereof, with a transparent front wall 10, whilst at appropriate distance apart from said front end portion 1 1, namely in the shown embodiment in the area of the rear end portion 12, said casing 1 comprises a seat 13 intended for inserting the reflector 2 and being furnished with a smooth circumferential surface 14 adapted to receive a sealing 3.
The reflector 2 is equipped with appropriate reflecting surface 21 and adapted to receive an appropriate light source 4, and is moreover in the area of cooperation with said casing 1 in its circumferential area furnished with a seat 22 having a smooth abutment surface 23, which is adapted to receive the sealing 3. Moreover, said seat 22 is furnished with at least one outwardly protruding circumferential rib 25, which is adapted to cooperate with said sealing 3 in the sense of preventing the sealing 3 from being displaced in the axial direction i.e. at least approximately along each optical axis 20 of the reflector 20.
In the context of assembly of the casing 1 and the reflector 2 as such, the casing 1 with its inner abutment surface 14 on the seat 13 represents a female part, and the reflector 2 with its abutment surface 23 represents the male part of such assembly, wherein generally each disposable gap between such male part and female part is then filled with a sealing 3, so that appropriate sealing function is assured between the casing 1 and the reflector 2 regardless to possible displacements due do adjusting each desired position of said reflector 2.
The casing 1 is mounted in each disposable location within a motor vehicle, and the position thereof is generally fixed. On the contrary, the reflector 2 is mounted within the casing 1 with the possibility of adjusting each desired position thereof, namely by inclination of its optical axis 20 with respect to the longitudinal axis of the casing 1 at each desired angle, which from quite practical point of view normally means inclination for several degrees. However, despite to such adjusting of position of the reflector 2, and moreover also regardless to possible temperature variations and co- related pressure variations, the sealing function between the casing 1 and the reflector 2 must be permanently established, since on the contrary the question about functionality of such light might arise.
Said sealing 3 is a so-called sleeve sealing, which is in Figs. 2 and 3 shown in its inserted state during the use, and in Fig. 4 in its undeformed state prior to inserting. The sealing 3 is uniformly conceived and consists of a flexible material, in particular of rubber or anyone of known thermoplastic materials from the group of polymers. In this, said sealing 3 comprises an essentially tubular stationary sealing portion 31, which is furnished with an inwardly facing abutment surface 31 1, which is adapted to cooperate with the outer surface 23 of the reflector 2, as well as a dynamic sealing portion 32 in the form of sleeve, which is slightly deflected and is protruding at least approximately in the radial direction from said stationary sealing area 31 at one axial end portion 310' thereof. Said dynamic sealing area 32 comprises a convex outwardly facing sealing surface 321, which is adapted to cooperate with the inner surface 14 of the motor vehicle light casing 1.
In accordance with the invention, said casing 3 is characterized by a weak portion 33 in form of a recess, which is opened outwardly in a direction towards the sealing surface 321 of the dynamic sealing area 32 and is arranged on one axial end portion 310' a stationary sealing portion 31 closely to the dynamic sealing portion 32.
A further characteristic of the sealing 3 according to the invention is a groove 34, which is foreseen o the inner abutment surface 31 1 of the stationary sealing portion 31 and is adapted to cooperate with radially outwards protruding circumferential rib 25, which is available on the seat 21 of the reflector 2. As mentioned, said weak portion 33 is located on the first end portion 310' closely to the dynamic sealing portion 32, while the groove 34 is located on the oppositely located second end portion 310" of the stationary sealing portion 31 of the sealing 3. Said stationary sealing portion 31 preferably comprises an inwardly protruding circumferential rib 312, which is located on the second end portion 310" thereof.
Prior to inserting the reflector 2 into the casing 1, the sealing 3 is placed onto the outer surface 23 of the corresponding seat 22 of the reflector 2, so that the inner abutment surface 31 1 of the stationary area 31 of the sealing 3 abuts the outer surface 23 of the reflector 2, and that simultaneously radially outwards protruding circumferential rib 23 on the said seat 22 of the reflector 2 protrudes into the groove 34 on the sealing 3. Consequently, the sealing 3 is secured against any displacement in both directions along the optical axis 20 of the reflector 2, wherein the shape of the sealing 3 in such a state still corresponds to original undeformed shape of the sealing 3 according to Fig. 4. Upon that, the reflector 2 is inserted into the casing 1 together with the belonging sealing 3 placed thereon, while during insertion the dynamic sealing portion 32 of the sealing 3 is then deformed, by which the sealing 3 is deformed into its shape according to Figs. 2 and 3. However, thanks to the presence of said weak portion 33, exclusively the dynamic sealing portion 32 is deflected, while Jhe stationary sealing portion 31 remains completely undeformed and the inner abutment surface 31 1 permanently and completely abuts the outward surface 23 of the seat 22 of the reflector 2. Although subsequently either by adjusting each desired position of the reflector 2 or even later during the long term use of the light said sealing 3 shows the tendency of releasing back to its original shape according to Fig. 4, by which the position of the dynamic sealing area 32 may generally even be changed; but despite to that a perfect and continued contact between the sealing 3 and the inner sealing surface 14 on the seat 13 of the casing 1 is assured along the complete circumference thanks to the convex shape of the outer sealing surface 321 of said dynamic sealing portion 32.
Due to said concept of the sealing 3 also the friction between the sealing 3 and the casing 1 during insertion of the reflector 2 together with the sealing 3 into the casing 1 is then essentially lower. Pressure differences between the interior and the exterior of the casing 1, which normally occur due to temperature variations during the use of each light, result in increasing of pressure towards the sealing 3 in one or in another direction, which normally leads to still intensively pressing the sealing 3 towards the reflector 2 and the casing 1, so that the sealing function between the casing 1 and the reflector 2 is then maintained in an extremely reliable manner thanks to establishing a perfect contact of the sealing 3 both towards the reflector 2 and towards the casing 2.