Lighting device, in particular for vehicles

Abstract: Lighting device, e.g. a third brake light for vehicles, including a supporting body, a plurality of lamps connected by a supply circuit and a closure element provided with an external lens. The supply circuit in turn includes two identical semi-blanked plates. The plates have opposing symmetrical ends, each provided with fins folded to form flexible extension pieces adapted to slidably receive the contacts of a connector in order to connect the supply circuit to an external supply line.

Description: This invention relates to a lighting device, e.g. a third brake light for vehicles. As is known, devices of this kind have a plurality of lamps housed in the interior of a supporting body and connected to an external supply line by means of a supply circuit. Circuits of this kind generally consist of two semi-blanked plates which are inserted into respective seats formed in the supporting body. The plates are provided with a set of extension pieces the function of which is to establish an electrical connection between the lamps and the supply line and to hold the said lamps in seats. In order to obtain safe and reliable blocking of the lamps, two semi-circuits take different forms, as a result of which two distinct procedures are required for the production thereof. Moreover, in the assembly phase, they cannot be mounted indiscriminately into one seat or the other, but there are distinct directions of insertion which must be respected. The need to produce and assemble different components constitutes a disadvantage from an economical point of view since the production process is complicated and not very suitable for automation. EP-A-0669223 does not ovecome completely the aforementioned drawbacks. it relates in fact to a lighting device wherein:(i)- only " wedge-base" type lamps can be used as light source; this type of lamps are extremely expensive in comparison with normal lamps, having a cylindrical base, commonly used in bayonet type couplings; (ii)- the metal bands 202, 202 are always exposed to external contaminants (see figg. 2 and 8) so that oxidation processes may start and short-cirquits may be formed in use. The aim of this invention is to provide a lighting device which does not have the disadvantages described and, in particular, which is simple and economical to produce. This invention therefore provides a lighting device, in particular a third brake light for vehicles, as claimed in claim 1. In this manner, not only an economical lay-out of the electric circuit is obtained through two identical plates that can be inserted in any position in the respective seats, but such a lay out is obtained ensuring at the same time: (i) - the possibility to use any kind of lamp bulb as a light source; (ii)- the possibility to house and protect entirely the electric circuit within the support body and the respective cover, still maintaining the possibility of an automatic assembly. The advantages offered by this invention will be clear from this description. First of all, it will be clear that a first economical advantage results from the fact that the supply circuit is made up of two identical parts. In this manner, it is in fact possible to limit production to one single type of plate which can be used indiscriminately for the two semi-circuits. The plates are moreover provided with symmetrical ends and the assembly of the device is also simplified for these reasons. In particular, the said uniformity of the plates and the symmetry of the ends thereof means that the longitudinal orientation of the supporting body with respect to the plate becomes irrelevant. This invention will be more readily understood from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof given purely by way of a non-limiting example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front elevation in longitudinal section of first and second details of a lighting device produced according to the instructions of this invention; Figure 2 is a front elevation in longitudinal section of a portion of the first detail of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a front elevation of a first portion of the second detail of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a top view of the detail of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a front elevation of a second portion of the detail of Figure 3; Figure 6 is a lateral elevation in section along a plane VI-VI of the detail of Figure 3; Figure 7 is a lateral elevation in section along a plane VII-VII of the detail of Figure 3; Figure 8 is a lateral elevation in section along a plane VIII-VIII of the detail of Figure 5; Figure 9 is a lateral elevation in section along a plane IX-IX of the detail of Figure 3; Figure 10 is a top view of a portion of the first detail of Figure 1; Figure 11 is a top view of a portion of the detail of Figure 1 in the assembled state; Figure 12 is a lateral elevation in section along the plane XII-XII of the detail of Figure 11; Figure 13 is a lateral elevation in cross section of a device according to this invention shown in its entirety; Figure 14 is a lateral elevation in section along a plane XIV-XIV of the detail of Figure 2; Figure 15 is a lateral elevation in section along a plane XV-XV of the detail of Figure 2; Figure 16 is a lateral elevation in longitudinal section of the detail of Figure 1 in the assembled state, and Figure 17 is a part front elevation in section along a plane XVII-XVII of the device of Figure 13. Referring to Figures 1, 13 and 17, in which identical components are designated by the same reference numerals, the reference numeral 1 designates in its entirety a lighting device, e.g. a third brake light for vehicles, comprising a supporting body 2, a supply circuit 3, a plurality of lamps 4 and a closure element 5 provided with an external lens 6. The supply circuit 3 comprises first and second semi-blanked plates 7 housed opposite one another in first and second seats 9 and 10 of the supporting body 2 (Figures 1, 11, 12 and 13). These seats 9 and 10 are formed by respective longitudinal openings formed in the said supporting body 2. The plates 7 are identical to one another and are moreover provided with respective symmetrical longitudinal ends 11, as shown in particular in Figure 1. For these reasons, each of the plates 7 can be inserted indiscriminately either into the first seat 9 or into the second seat 10. The ends 11 of the plates 7 comprise respective connecting fins 15 (Figures 1, 5 and 8) symmetrical with one another and adapted to establish an electrical connection between the supply circuit 3 and an external supply line which is known and is not shown for the sake of convenience. The connecting fins 15 are produced as extensions formed in one piece with the plates 7 and are folded transversely to form flexible spacer elements 16. As shown in Figure 13, in use, the fins 15 occupy respective seats 17 and 18 defined between internal walls 19 and 20 of the supporting body 2 and a projection 21 projecting in one piece from a base wall 22 of the said supporting body 2. The flexible spacer elements 16 are disposed so that they bear against the projection 21 and cooperate slidably with the contacts of a connector 22 (known and not described) when the latter is inserted so as to connect the circuit 3 to the external supply line. As shown in Figures 4 and 9, each of the plates 7 is formed by a metal strap folded into an "L" shape and provided with at least one pair of bars 23 and 24 projecting from a shorter flange 25 of the "L" for each lamp 4. The first bar 23 is subsequently folded to form a tooth 26 by means of which it is adapted to hold a respective lamp 4 snapped in position. The second bar 24 is adapted to make electrical contact with a respective lamp 4. It is moreover provided with a bearing edge 27 folded at a right angle and adapted to hold the respective plate 7 in its position of use, as described hereinafter. The plates 7 are provided with a plurality of spacer elements 28 formed directly in one piece therewith. In particular, the spacer elements 28 comprise a plurality of recesses 29 defined on the flange 25 of the "L" between respective extension pieces 30 of the plates 7. The plates 7 are moreover provided with semi-blanked flexible spacer elements 31 projecting from respective surfaces 32 of the plates opposite the bars 23 and 24. In use, the spacer elements 31 bear against internal walls 19 and 20 of the supporting body 2 which define laterally the seats 9 and 10 in order to hold the plates 7 in respective positions of use together with the spacer elements 28. Referring to Figures 2, 10, 14, 15, 16 and 17, the supporting body 2 comprises for each lamp 4 a pair of transverse ribs 35 disposed with play between the internal walls 19 and 20 of the seats 9 and 10 and a pair of longitudinal ribs 36. The ribs 35 and 36 are formed in one piece with the supporting body 2 and project from a base wall 37 of the latter parallel to the direction of insertion of the lamps 4. In use, the plates 7 are inserted into the space defined between the transverse ribs 35 and, respectively, the internal walls 19 and 20 of the seats 9 and 10. Edges 38 of the plates 7 in correspondence with the recesses 29 bear against the transverse ribs 35 in order to hold the plates 7 in respective transverse positions of use. The longitudinal ribs 36 receive the respective bearing edges 27 of the second bars 24 in order to hold the plates 7 in respective longitudinal positions of use. The supporting body 2 moreover carries for each lamp 4 respective groups of bearing elements 39 formed in one piece with and projecting from the base wall 37. The bearing elements 39 cooperate with respective ends 40 of the second bars 24 in order to keep the plates 7 at a predetermined distance from the base wall 37 of the supporting body 2. The plates 7 are therefore held in the transverse direction by the action of the spacer elements 31 against the internal walls 19 and 20 of the seats 9 and 10 and by the action of the spacer elements 29 against the transverse ribs 35, in the longitudinal direction by the action of the bearing edges 27 of the second bars 24 against the longitudinal ribs 36 and in the orthogonal direction to the base wall 37 by the action of the ends 40 of the second bars 24 against the bearing elements 39. The plates 7 are moreover held in the seats 9 and 10 and are held tightly between the supporting body 2 and the closure element 5, in turn blocked by means of screws 41. It will finally be clear that the lighting device 1 can be modified and varied without thereby extending beyond the scope of protection of this invention.

Claims: Lighting device (1), in particular a third brake light for vehicles, comprising a supporting body (2), a plurality of lamps (4), a supply circuit (3) and a closure element (5) provided with an external lens (6), the said lamps (4) and the said supply circuit (3) being carried by the said supporting body (2), said supply circuit (3) comprising first and second semi-blanked plates (7) carried opposite one another in first (9) and second (10) seats of the said supporting body, the said first and second plates (7) being identical to one another and being provided with respective symmetrical longitudinal ends (11), wherein each of the said first and second plates (7) can be placed indiscriminately-alternately in the said first and second seats (9;10); each of said plates (7) being provided for each said lamp (4) with at least one pair of bars (23,24); characterized in that, in combination: (i)- each of said plates (7) is formed by a metal strap folded into an "L" shape, said bars (23,24) projecting from a shorter flange (25) of the said "L"; (ii)- a first bar (23) of the said pair is shaped so as to be able to hold a respective said lamp (4) snapped in position; (iii)- a second bar (24) of the said pair is apt to make electrical contact with said respective lamp (4), said second bar moreover being provided with a bearing edge (27) folded at a right angle; (iv)- said plates (7) are further provided with a plurality of spacer elements (28) formed directly in one piece therewith, said spacer elements (28) comprising a plurality of recesses (29) defined on said shorter flange (25) of the said "L" between respective extension pieces (30) of the said plates (7), said plates (7) moreover being provided with semi-blanked flexible spacer elements (31) projecting from respective surfaces (32) of said plates opposite to said bars (23,24); (v)- said plates (7) are housed inside said first and second seats (9,10), the latter being formed by respective longitudinal openings formed in said supporting body (2), said semi-blanked flexible spacer elements (31) cooperating with respective internal walls (19,20) of said seats (9,10) in order to hold the said plates (7) in respective positions of use together with the said spacer elements (28); (vi)- said plates (7) are held in said seats (9,10) packed tightly between said supporting body (2) and said closure element (5). Lighting device according to claim 1, characterized in that said symmetrical ends (11) of the said plates (7) comprise respective symmetrical connecting fins (15) formed in one piece with said plates (7) and adapted to establish an electrical connection with an external supply line. Lighting device according to claim 2, characterized in that said connecting fins (15) are formed as extensions of the said plates (7) folded transversely to form further flexible spacer elements (26). Lighting device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said supporting body (2) comprises for each of said lamps (4) at least one pair of transverse ribs (35) disposed with play between said internal walls (19,20) of the seats (9,10) and a pair of longitudinal ribs (36) formed in one piece with and projecting from a base wall (37) of said supporting body (2) parallel to the direction of insertion of said lamps (4). Lighting device according to claim 4, characterized in that said plates (7) are inserted into the space defined between said transverse ribs (35) and said internal walls (19,29) of the seats (9,10), respective edges (38) of said plates (7) in correspondence with said recesses (29) bearing against said transverse ribs (35) in order to hold the said plates in respective transverse positions of use, said longitudinal ribs (36) receiving said bearing edges (27) of the second bars (24) in order to hold said plates (7) in respective longitudinal positions of use. Lighting device according to claim 5, characterized in that said supporting body (2) carries for each lamp (4) respective groups of bearing elements (39) adapted to cooperate with respective ends (40) of said second bars (24) in order to keep said plates (7) at a predetermined distance from said base wall (37) of said supporting body (2).

Inventors: CANAVESIO SERGIO, CREMA ALESSANDRO, PADOVAN MARCO, CANAVESIO, SERGIO, CREMA, ALESSANDRO, PADOVAN, MARCO
Applicants: AUTOMOTIVE LIGHTING ITALIA SPA
Application year: 1999
Main classification: H01R25
IPC codes: H01R25