Projection headlamp lighting system for projecting a wide spread

Abstract

A projection headlamp system is capable of projecting a wide spread controlled pattern of light for accommodating low and high beam illuminations. The projection headlamp system includes a curved reflector and a gas discharge lamp. The curved reflector has first and second optical focal points associated therewith positioned along an optical axis. The first focal point is within and closer to the curved reflector than the second focal point which is spaced from the reflector. The lamp is disposed within the curved reflector at the first focal point thereof and along the optical axis. The lamp is operable for generating light. The curved reflector is operable for receiving a substantial portion of the light generated by the lamp and for directing the light along the optical axis toward the second focal point thereof. An optical element such as a mask or mask-shaped mirror is positioned along the optical axis approximately at the second focal point of the reflector for creating an image of a well-defined sharp cutoff within the light from the reflector. A light projecting lens is positioned along the optical axis and spaced from the optical element at a distance approximately equal to the focal length of the lens for receiving light from the second focal point and projecting the light as a wide spread controlled pattern containing the image of the well-defined sharp cutoff to thereby provide a low beam illumination for vehicular use.