From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
New scheme for dipping headlamps, including wiring, support, and potential patenting.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\R\October1927-December1927\ Scan045 | |
| Date | 20th October 1927 | |
| HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} FROM R.{Sir Henry Royce} ORIGINAL R10/M20.10.27. e.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} to DJ. BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} C. SG.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} Mr. CLAREMONT. re. DIPPING HEADLAMPS. X4555 / X1357 We believe we have now a very practical scheme of support and wiring for our system of dipping headlamps. The design of leading in the wires and supporting the lamps on adjustable trunnions should be registered or patented in the names of Mr. Evernden and myself, otherwise we fear that the scheme will soon become common property, being offered by Lucas', and perhaps adopted by other lamp makers should the dipping headlamps remain the best device for night driving. It is extremely desirable that the dipping type of headlamp shall be made to work easier and more conveniently than has been the practice with the Barker scheme. This has been done by us on the car I have been driving for the last two years, and I should be very sorry to go back to the heavy Barker scheme, or the scheme of dimmer, or any substitute for this scheme that I know of. We believe that Conduit St.{Capt. P. R. Strong} still have the impression that our WW. scheme is wrong. Therefore it has not been rendered available should customers desire to fit it. Now, as it is intended to make this scheme in fair quantities for the sports cars, we would like it to be realised that we are looking upon it as the best device for the purpose. We are using the Lucas lamps they have lately submitted but we hope they will be able to improve the weight and appearance and reliability in some respects, but there are other lamps which, with slight modifications by the makers, can be used by us for the same purpose. It will be realised that although the lamp is dipping our scheme of wiring results in its being entirely enclosed within the tubular support. It will be remembered that our system of wiring has been for some years single pole, with earth return, and it is no longer necessary for us to use the delicate and unreliable double pole connectors and lamp holders, because the single well insulated conductor is far better than attempting to insulate both poles with the result that neither are reliable. R.{Sir Henry Royce} | ||