Vehicle light

Abstract: A light (1) in which an outer casing (2) is provided with a ventilation device (14) formed by a hollow member (15) rigid with the casing (2) and provided with a duct (18) communicating with the interior of this casing (2) and by a cap (20) coupled to the hollow member (15) and defining a labyrinth ventilation duct (21) therewith, the cap (20) being rigid with a seal (23) designed to be interposed between the outer casing (2) and a body (24) adjacent to the light (1).

Description: The present invention relates to a vehicle light and in particular to a light of the type comprising an outer casing a lateral seal extending in contact with an outer surface of the casing and designed to be interposed between the casing and an adjacent body and a ventilation device forming a labyrinth duct connecting the casing to atmosphere and comprising a hollow member rigid with the casing and a cap closing this hollow member, In known lights of the type described above the cap, preferably made from elastomer material, is generally obtained separately from either the outer casing or the seal and is coupled to the outer casing simply by force fitting. A connection method of this type has the drawback, in vehicle lights, that it is not very reliable from the operational point of view as it is sensitive to the vibrations of the support structure of the casing. Moreover, the use of a separate cap entails the production of a specific die which is relatively costly. The present invention aims to provide a vehicle light which is free from the drawbacks described above. According to the present invention there is provided a vehicle light comprising an outer casing, a lateral seal extending in contact with an outer surface of the casing and designed to be interposed between the casing and an adjacent body and a ventilation device forming a labyrinth duct connecting the casing, to atmosphere and comprising a hollow member rigid with the casing and a cap closing the hollow member, characterized in that the cap and seal are rigid with one another. The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show a non-limiting embodiment thereof, in which: Fig. 1 is a lateral elevation of a preferred embodiment of the light of the present invention mounted on a vehicle; Fig. 2 is a view along the arrow A of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a cross-section along the III-III of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a cross-section along the line IV-IV of Fig. 2. The accompanying drawings and in particular Figs. 2 to 4 show a light 1 comprising an outer casing 2 which is closed by a transparent member 3 and in turn comprises a base wall 4 from which a lateral wall 5 extends upwards. The walls 4 and 5 form between one another a through sleeve 6 with a substantially vertical axis which has an axial through hole 7 engaged in a fluid-tight and releasable manner by a device 8 supporting and retaining a lamp 9, a bulb 10 of which faces a reflector 11 formed directly on the lateral wall 5 by a recess 12 and having an optical axis 13. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the light 1 is provided in the vicinity of its upper end with a device 14 for ventilating the light 1. The device 14 comprises a hollow member 15 preferably of cylindrical shape which is rigid with the lateral wall 5 and extends outwardly in a direction substantially parallel to the optical axis 13 of the reflector 11. The hollow member 15 is provided with a lower axial slot 16 and is divided longitudinally by a transverse baffle 17 into two ducts shown by 18 and 19, the duct 18 communicating with the interior of the casing 2 and the duct 19 communicating, in operating conditions, with atmosphere solely via part of the slot 16. The device 14 also comprises a cup-shaped cap 20 which is fitted on the free end of the hollow member 15 to bring the two ducts 18, 19 into communication and to form, together with these ducts 18 and 19, a labyrinth ventilation duct 21 connecting the inner space of the housing 2 to atmosphere via the slot 16. As shown in Figs. 2 and 4, the cap 20 is rigid with a lateral appendix 22 of a known seal 23 interposed, as shown in particular in Fig. 1, between the outer surface of a portion of the lateral wall 5 and a corresponding portion of a member 24 adjacent to the light 1 and formed in this case by a headlight housed within a cavity 25 of a motor vehicle bodywork 26. The cap 20 is preferably jointly stamped with the seal 23 and, since it is rigid with the seal 23, is detachable from the outer casing 2 making it possible to obtain a ventilation device which is extremely reliable from the operational point of view.

Claims: A vehicle light (1) of the type comprising an outer casing (2), a lateral seal (23) extending in contact with an outer surface of the casing (2) and designed to be interposed between the casing (2) and an adjacent body (24) and a ventilation device (14) forming a labyrinth duct (21) connecting the casing (2) to atmosphere and comprising a hollow member (15) rigid with the casing (2) and a cap (20) closing the hollow member (15), characterized in that the cap (20) and seal (23) are rigid with one another. A light as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the cap (20) and the seal (23) are jointly stamped. A light as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the seal (23) has a lateral appendix (22) and in that the cap (20) is rigid with this appendix (22).

Inventors: BOTTIGLIENGO SILVANO, BOTTIGLIENGO, SILVANO
Applicants: CARELLO SPA, CARELLO S.P.A.
Application year: 1991
Main classification: F21M7
IPC codes: F21V31