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WO2013003366A1 - Apparatus and method for light blade sidemarker - Google Patents

Apparatus and method for light blade sidemarker Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2013003366A1
WO2013003366A1 PCT/US2012/044233 US2012044233W WO2013003366A1 WO 2013003366 A1 WO2013003366 A1 WO 2013003366A1 US 2012044233 W US2012044233 W US 2012044233W WO 2013003366 A1 WO2013003366 A1 WO 2013003366A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
light
housing
lamp
blade element
vehicle
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2012/044233
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Sandeep SAXEAS
Original Assignee
Hella Corporate Center Usa, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Hella Corporate Center Usa, Inc. filed Critical Hella Corporate Center Usa, Inc.
Publication of WO2013003366A1 publication Critical patent/WO2013003366A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
    • B60Q1/0029—Spatial arrangement
    • B60Q1/0041—Spatial arrangement of several lamps in relation to each other
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
    • B60Q1/0029—Spatial arrangement
    • B60Q1/0041—Spatial arrangement of several lamps in relation to each other
    • B60Q1/0047—Signalling unit mounted on a headlamp unit
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
    • B60Q1/26—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic
    • B60Q1/32—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic for indicating vehicle sides, e.g. clearance lights
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S43/00—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights
    • F21S43/20—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights characterised by refractors, transparent cover plates, light guides or filters
    • F21S43/26—Refractors, transparent cover plates, light guides or filters not provided in groups F21S43/235 - F21S43/255
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S43/00—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights
    • F21S43/40—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights characterised by the combination of reflectors and refractors

Definitions

  • the field of the invention is in vehicle lighting.
  • Vehicle Side Marker signal lighting needs have traditionally been met by either using a stand alone side marker lamp or by reciprocal incorporation of the function with a position/parking lamp function.
  • the side marker lamp is required to be located as farthest on the longitudinal and lateral dimension of the vehicle as possible by design.
  • This invention pertains to such side marker lamps that are provided on the vehicle by reciprocal incorporation of the light source with another function such as a position lamp but not limited to position lamps in general.
  • Such reciprocal incorporation of side marker function generally requires large cut outs to be made in the primary function of the lamp to allow direct/ indirect light from the source to pass through to illuminate the lateral side of the vehicle, thereby enabling an observer on the side of the vehicle to observe its presence.
  • a light blade side marker function consists of a flat piece of plastic with contoured surfaces all along its thickness to change the direction of light from its principal axis to a direction deviating from the principal axis by up to 90 degrees in an azimuthal plane. Additional spread in a direction perpendicular to the azimuthal plane is also achieved by the flat surfaces of the light blade and certain spreading optical elements at the point of exit of light from the light blade.
  • the light from the lamp light source is directed along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle by a reflector which collimates this light and injects it in the light blade at the surface of light entry.
  • Fig. 1 is a side view and front view of a typical vehicle lamp that uses a bulb, reflector and outer lens. The light blade is incorporated at the bottom position.
  • Fig. 2 is a side view and front view of a typical vehicle lamp that uses a bulb, reflector and outer lens.
  • the light blade is incorporated at the bottom and top position.
  • Fig. 3 is a top view of the vehicle lamp showing the reflector in relation to the light blade, the contouring of the light blade and the outer periphery of the enclosure containing the two elements.
  • the outer lens is not shown.
  • Fig. 4 is a top view of the vehicle lamp showing the ray trace
  • Fig. 5 is the light distribution produced from a single light blade as illustrated in Fig. 1 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
  • vehicle lamp 10 is comprised of a housing 12, a reflector 13 and side reflector facet array 14 and a light blade element 20.
  • the light blade element is generally triangular in plan view and generally planar, having a thickness substantially equivalent to the side marker dimensions.
  • the light emitters may be of any source, material or configuration, including without limitation incandescent bulbs, halogen bulbs, xenon bulbs, LEDs or any combination thereof.
  • the reflector 14 is further comprised of optical elements 16.
  • Element 16 may have a surface treatment such a metallization for improving the reflectivity of the surface.
  • the area 18 occupied by reflector array 14 in the depicted embodiment may be fitted with LEDs.
  • the intent of reflector 14 or LEDs in area 18 is to inject light in the light blade element 20.
  • Housing 10 may have reflector 14 as an integral element or as a separate attachment.
  • the function of reflector 14 or another light source in area 18 is to focus light into light blade 20 in a user selectable fashion.
  • a light blade element 20 is mounted within the housing 12.
  • the element 20 may be used singularly or in plurality at multiple locations vertically along the opening of the lamp.
  • Figure 2 depicts the element 20 in two positions.
  • the element 20 may have a light altering characteristic, such as a color or tint.
  • this first characteristic of light blade 20 may match the first characteristic of the outer lens 40, for example both the light blade element 20 and lens 40 may be tinted red.
  • the light blade element 20 may be clear in tint and the final emission of color of light from the lamp would then be dependent on the color of the light source 30 itself and the color of the outer lens 40.
  • the element 20 is configured to substantially conform to the size and shape of the housing 12 with reference to the passage of light from the emitting elements of 16 or light emanating from area 18.
  • area 22 of the light blade element 20 is the light entrance area.
  • the contouring of the area 22 enables the light to change direction from the principle direction of travel which is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.
  • the deflection of light by design is intended to be towards face 26 of the light blade.
  • the face 26 is always open to the side of the vehicle where the side marker function is to be realized.
  • the facets 22 may be at an angle in a range of about 40 to about 60 degrees from the primary beam direction along the axis of the vehicle, which is towards the top of the page in the figures.
  • the angles of the facets 22 or the reflector facets 14 may vary in a single embodiment to accommodate the point source of light 30 and its radial distribution of light.
  • the angles of the facets 22 or the reflector facets 14 may advantageously correspond for efficient collection and redirection of light.
  • the combination of light from area 18, as reflected by facets 14 or from LEDs, with the receiving facets 22 on a light blade generally disposed on a relatively lower, generally thin portion of the overall light assembling within the housing 10 advantageously provide a thin profile side marker light source relative to the side wall of reflector 13. Hence more light is available for azimuthal distribution into the primary beam via the side of reflector 13 and a lower profile of the side marker is visible to a viewer outside the vehicle viewing the rearward facing aspect of the overall light. Face 22 and Face 24 may together help in directing light towards face 26. Front face 24 may be angled or faceted to promote sideways redirection of light.
  • Face 26 comprises of optical elements that may further deflect or spread the light such that the intensity requirements of a side marker function are achieved. There may be additional optical elements on the outer lens 40 that may assist in such qualification of requirements.
  • Light blade 20 may be of any light transmitting material including without departing from the scope of the invention Polycarbonate and PMMA or acrylic.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Non-Portable Lighting Devices Or Systems Thereof (AREA)

Abstract

A vehicle lamp has a housing, a light emitter mounted within said housing, a lens disposed in cooperation with the housing and a light blade element. The light blade element redirects light in a direction different from the principal axis of the lamp. The light blade element may have multiple faces. The light blade element is disposed in cooperation with a low profile reflector array to adequately supply light to a side light while occupying an advantageously small portion of the overall dimensions of the light housing and main reflector.

Description

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR LIGHT BLADE SIDEMARKER
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/503,410, filed on June 30, 2011, and is entitled "APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR LIGHT BLADE SIDEMARKER", whereby the entirety is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The field of the invention is in vehicle lighting.
RELATED ART
Vehicle Side Marker signal lighting needs have traditionally been met by either using a stand alone side marker lamp or by reciprocal incorporation of the function with a position/parking lamp function. The side marker lamp is required to be located as farthest on the longitudinal and lateral dimension of the vehicle as possible by design. This invention pertains to such side marker lamps that are provided on the vehicle by reciprocal incorporation of the light source with another function such as a position lamp but not limited to position lamps in general. Such reciprocal incorporation of side marker function generally requires large cut outs to be made in the primary function of the lamp to allow direct/ indirect light from the source to pass through to illuminate the lateral side of the vehicle, thereby enabling an observer on the side of the vehicle to observe its presence. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A light blade side marker function consists of a flat piece of plastic with contoured surfaces all along its thickness to change the direction of light from its principal axis to a direction deviating from the principal axis by up to 90 degrees in an azimuthal plane. Additional spread in a direction perpendicular to the azimuthal plane is also achieved by the flat surfaces of the light blade and certain spreading optical elements at the point of exit of light from the light blade. The light from the lamp light source is directed along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle by a reflector which collimates this light and injects it in the light blade at the surface of light entry.
Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a better understanding of the present invention, references may be made to the accompanying drawings in which:
Fig. 1 is a side view and front view of a typical vehicle lamp that uses a bulb, reflector and outer lens. The light blade is incorporated at the bottom position.
Fig. 2 is a side view and front view of a typical vehicle lamp that uses a bulb, reflector and outer lens. The light blade is incorporated at the bottom and top position. Fig. 3 is a top view of the vehicle lamp showing the reflector in relation to the light blade, the contouring of the light blade and the outer periphery of the enclosure containing the two elements. The outer lens is not shown.
Fig. 4 is a top view of the vehicle lamp showing the ray trace
Fig. 5 is the light distribution produced from a single light blade as illustrated in Fig. 1 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to the drawings in which like reference numbers refer to like elements, vehicle lamp 10 is comprised of a housing 12, a reflector 13 and side reflector facet array 14 and a light blade element 20. In the depicted embodiment, the light blade element is generally triangular in plan view and generally planar, having a thickness substantially equivalent to the side marker dimensions. In the depicted embodiment, there is a primary light emitter 30. The light emitters may be of any source, material or configuration, including without limitation incandescent bulbs, halogen bulbs, xenon bulbs, LEDs or any combination thereof. The reflector 14 is further comprised of optical elements 16. Element 16 may have a surface treatment such a metallization for improving the reflectivity of the surface. Alternatively, the area 18 occupied by reflector array 14 in the depicted embodiment, may be fitted with LEDs. The intent of reflector 14 or LEDs in area 18 is to inject light in the light blade element 20. Housing 10 may have reflector 14 as an integral element or as a separate attachment. The function of reflector 14 or another light source in area 18 is to focus light into light blade 20 in a user selectable fashion.
A light blade element 20 is mounted within the housing 12. The element 20 may be used singularly or in plurality at multiple locations vertically along the opening of the lamp. Figure 2 depicts the element 20 in two positions.
The element 20 may have a light altering characteristic, such as a color or tint. In one embodiment, this first characteristic of light blade 20 may match the first characteristic of the outer lens 40, for example both the light blade element 20 and lens 40 may be tinted red.
Alternatively, the light blade element 20 may be clear in tint and the final emission of color of light from the lamp would then be dependent on the color of the light source 30 itself and the color of the outer lens 40.
In the depicted embodiment, the element 20 is configured to substantially conform to the size and shape of the housing 12 with reference to the passage of light from the emitting elements of 16 or light emanating from area 18. Thus, in the depicted embodiment, area 22 of the light blade element 20 is the light entrance area. The contouring of the area 22 enables the light to change direction from the principle direction of travel which is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The deflection of light by design is intended to be towards face 26 of the light blade. The face 26 is always open to the side of the vehicle where the side marker function is to be realized. In some embodiments the facets 22 may be at an angle in a range of about 40 to about 60 degrees from the primary beam direction along the axis of the vehicle, which is towards the top of the page in the figures. The angles of the facets 22 or the reflector facets 14 may vary in a single embodiment to accommodate the point source of light 30 and its radial distribution of light. The angles of the facets 22 or the reflector facets 14 may advantageously correspond for efficient collection and redirection of light.
As will be apparent to those of skill in the art, the combination of light from area 18, as reflected by facets 14 or from LEDs, with the receiving facets 22 on a light blade generally disposed on a relatively lower, generally thin portion of the overall light assembling within the housing 10 advantageously provide a thin profile side marker light source relative to the side wall of reflector 13. Hence more light is available for azimuthal distribution into the primary beam via the side of reflector 13 and a lower profile of the side marker is visible to a viewer outside the vehicle viewing the rearward facing aspect of the overall light. Face 22 and Face 24 may together help in directing light towards face 26. Front face 24 may be angled or faceted to promote sideways redirection of light.
Face 26 comprises of optical elements that may further deflect or spread the light such that the intensity requirements of a side marker function are achieved. There may be additional optical elements on the outer lens 40 that may assist in such qualification of requirements. Light blade 20 may be of any light transmitting material including without departing from the scope of the invention Polycarbonate and PMMA or acrylic.
As various modifications could be made to the exemplary embodiments, as described above with reference to the corresponding illustrations, without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative rather than limiting. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above- described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims appended hereto and their equivalents.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. A vehicle lamp comprising
a housing;
a light emitter mounted within said housing;
a lens disposed in cooperation with said housing;
a light blade element, said element having a light altering characteristic, and said element having multiple faces;
said faces deflecting the light towards the exit face such that the light travels in a direction different from the principal axis of the lamp.
a light reflecting element within said housing that directs light from the source to the light blade element the light travels in a direction different from the principal axis of the lamp.
2. The vehicle light of claim 1 wherein multiple light sources inject light into light blade element such that the light travels in a direction different from the principal axis of the lamp towards the intended face of exit.
PCT/US2012/044233 2011-06-30 2012-06-26 Apparatus and method for light blade sidemarker WO2013003366A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US201161503410P 2011-06-30 2011-06-30
US61/503,410 2011-06-30

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2013003366A1 true WO2013003366A1 (en) 2013-01-03

Family

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2012/044233 WO2013003366A1 (en) 2011-06-30 2012-06-26 Apparatus and method for light blade sidemarker

Country Status (1)

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WO (1) WO2013003366A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10730430B2 (en) 2017-01-06 2020-08-04 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Sidemarker light assembly and motor vehicle light assembly incorporating that sidemarker light assembly

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5439980A (en) * 1977-09-06 1979-03-28 Ichikoh Ind Ltd Lighting tool for car
US5081564A (en) * 1989-07-11 1992-01-14 Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Vehicular lighting device
US6471380B1 (en) * 1999-08-26 2002-10-29 Hella Kg Hueck & Co. Blink lamp for vehicles
US20080013333A1 (en) * 2006-06-28 2008-01-17 Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Vehicular lamp
US7946743B2 (en) * 2007-12-14 2011-05-24 Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Vehicle lamp assembly

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5439980A (en) * 1977-09-06 1979-03-28 Ichikoh Ind Ltd Lighting tool for car
US5081564A (en) * 1989-07-11 1992-01-14 Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Vehicular lighting device
US6471380B1 (en) * 1999-08-26 2002-10-29 Hella Kg Hueck & Co. Blink lamp for vehicles
US20080013333A1 (en) * 2006-06-28 2008-01-17 Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Vehicular lamp
US7946743B2 (en) * 2007-12-14 2011-05-24 Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Vehicle lamp assembly

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10730430B2 (en) 2017-01-06 2020-08-04 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Sidemarker light assembly and motor vehicle light assembly incorporating that sidemarker light assembly

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