Headlight for a motor vehicle
View Patent ↗The invention concerns a headlight ( 1 ) for a motor vehicle. This includes a light source ( 2 ) for visible light and a source ( 3 ) for infrared radiation and a lens ( 6 ) through which the visible light and the infrared radiation can be emitted out of the headlight ( 1 ). In accordance with the invention there is additionally provided a bi-metallic element ( 4 ) in the area between the source ( 3 ) for the infrared radiation and the lens ( 6 ) in such a manner that during operation of the light source ( 2 ) the path of the infrared radiation from the source ( 3 ) to the lens ( 6 ) is open, and in the non-operating condition of the light source ( 2 ) the path is interrupted. The invention provides a headlight ( 1 ) for motor vehicles which is very safe for eyes.
1. A headlight for a motor vehicle comprising:
a light source for visible light,
a source for infrared radiation,
a lens through which the visible light and the infrared radiation pass along a radiation path out of the headlight, and
a bi-metallic element ( 4 ) provided in the vicinity of the radiation path between the source ( 3 ) for the infrared radiation and the lens ( 6 ) in such a manner, that during operation of the light source ( 2 ) the radiation path of the infrared radiation between the source ( 3 ) and the lens ( 6 ) is open and during non-operation condition of the light source the radiation path is interrupted.
2. The headlight for a motor vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the bi-metallic element ( 4 ) is in the shape of a strip or a spiral.
3. The headlight for a motor vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the bi-metallic element ( 4 ) is provided in the immediate vicinity of the light source ( 2 ).
4. The headlight for a motor vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the bi-metallic element ( 4 ) extends along the light source ( 2 ).
5. The headlight for a motor vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the source ( 3 ) for the infrared radiation has a pronounced directional radiation characteristic.
6. The headlight for a motor vehicle according to claim 5 , wherein the source ( 3 ) is an end of an optical fiber, a IR-laser source or an IR-LED.
7. The headlight for a motor vehicle according to claim 5 , wherein the bi-metallic element ( 4 ) during non-operation of the light source ( 2 ) is adjacent the source ( 3 ).
8. The headlight for a motor vehicle according to claim 7 , wherein the bi-metallic element ( 4 ) is widened two dimensionally in the vicinity of the source ( 3 ).
9. The headlight for a motor vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the bi-metallic element ( 4 ) includes an opening or recess through which the infrared radiation passes on the way to the lens ( 6 ) during operation of the light source ( 2 ), while during non-operation of the light source ( 2 ) the radiation path is interrupted.
10. The headlight for a motor vehicle according to claim 9 , wherein the opening or recess in the bi-metallic element ( 4 ) during operation of the light source ( 2 ) shapes the radiation pattern of the infrared radiation.
11. The headlight for a motor vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the bi-metallic element ( 4 ), the light source ( 2 ), as well as the source ( 3 ) are provided in a common housing ( 5 ) together with the lens ( 6 ), and that the bi-metallic element ( 4 ), as well as the source ( 3 ) which is an end of an optical fiber, are provided in the immediate vicinity of the light source ( 2 ).
12. The headlight for a motor vehicle according to claim 7 , wherein during non-operation of the light source ( 2 ) the bi-metallic element ( 4 ) lies against the source ( 3 ).