Vehicle light system with frustum reflector and related lighting method

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a vehicle light system with a frustum reflector and a related lighting method. A vehicle lamp assembly includes: a light source that emits light; the side marker lamp is provided with a lens; and a frustum reflector, wherein the frustum reflector is used for guiding light from the light source to the lens of the side marker lamp. A vehicle lighting method includes emitting light from a light source into a frustum reflector; redirecting the light within the frustum reflector; and illuminating a side marker lamp with the light redirected within the frustum reflector.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to a light system for a vehicle, and more particularly to a light system incorporating a frustum reflector. Background Art

[0002] Vehicles include various types of light assemblies. When light from a light source moves through a lens, the light assembly is illuminated. The light assemblies may include headlights, taillights, side marker lights, etc. Side marker lights may help identify the presence, location, and direction of travel of a vehicle, especially when the vehicle is viewed from an oblique angle. Summary of the invention

[0003] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a vehicle light system that includes a light source that emits light, a lens of the vehicle light, and a frustum reflector that directs light from the light source to the lens of the vehicle light.

[0004] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a vehicle light system, wherein the vehicle light is a side marker light such that the lens is a side marker light lens.

[0005] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a vehicle light system, wherein the light source is a first light source mounted to a printed circuit board, wherein the vehicle light is a first vehicle light, and the vehicle light system further includes: a second light source mounted to the printed circuit board, the second light source being configured to illuminate a second vehicle light different from the first vehicle light.

[0006] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a vehicle light system, wherein the first vehicle light is a side marker light and the second vehicle light is a daytime running light.

[0007] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a vehicle light system in which the light source is at least one light emitting diode mounted to a printed circuit board of a side marker light.

[0008] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a vehicle light system wherein the frustum reflector is a white frustum reflector.

[0009] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a vehicle light system in which the frustum reflector redirects light from the light source.

[0010] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a vehicle light system wherein the frustum reflector redirects the light from the light source within a range of 80 degrees to 100 degrees.

[0011] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a vehicle light system wherein the frustum reflector includes a surface disposed at a 45 degree angle relative to the lens and the light source, the surface redirecting the light from the light source.

[0012] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a vehicle light system wherein the lens is a microstructured lens.

[0013] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a vehicle light system in which at least an inner side of the lens is textured.

[0014] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a vehicle light system in which the frustum reflector is hollow.

[0015] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a vehicle lighting method, comprising: emitting light from a light source into a frustum reflector; redirecting the light within the frustum reflector; and illuminating a vehicle lamp using the light redirected within the frustum reflector.

[0016] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a vehicle lighting method, wherein the vehicle light is a side marker light.

[0017] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a vehicle lighting method, wherein the light source is a first light source mounted to a printed circuit board, wherein the vehicle lamp is a first vehicle lamp, and the vehicle lighting method further includes: a second light source mounted to the printed circuit board, the second light source being configured to illuminate a second vehicle lamp different from the first vehicle lamp.

[0018] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a vehicle lighting method, wherein the first vehicle light is a side marker light, such that the second vehicle light is a daytime running light.

[0019] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a vehicle lighting method, wherein the frustum reflector redirects the light from the light source within a range of 80 degrees to 100 degrees.

[0020] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a vehicle lighting method, further comprising: illuminating a lens of a daytime running light using light emitted from the light source.

[0021] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a method of lighting a vehicle, wherein the illuminating includes illuminating a lens of a side marker light, the lens having a textured inner side.

[0022] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a vehicle lighting method in which the frustum reflector is hollow.

[0023] The embodiments, examples and alternatives of the preceding paragraphs, claims or the following description and drawings, including any of their various aspects or respective individual features, may be taken independently or in any combination. Features described in conjunction with one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments, unless such features are incompatible. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] According to the detailed description, various features and advantages of the disclosed examples will become apparent to those skilled in the art. The drawings attached to the detailed description can be briefly described as follows:

[0025] Figure 1 A perspective view of a vehicle incorporating a light system is shown.

[0026] Figure 2 The exemplary embodiment according to the present disclosure is shown Figure 1 Schematic view of a light system of a vehicle.

[0027] Figure 3 Shown from Figure 2 Side view of the frustum reflector of a lamp system.

[0028] Figure 4 Shown in Figure 3 A cross-sectional view taken along line 4–4 in FIG.

[0029] Figure 5 Shown from Figure 2 Another side view of the frustum reflector of the lamp system.

[0030] The embodiments, examples and alternatives of the preceding paragraphs, claims or the following description and drawings, including any of their various aspects or respective individual features, may be taken independently or in any combination. Features described in conjunction with one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments, unless such features are incompatible. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] The present disclosure relates generally to a light system incorporating a hollow frustum reflector, and in particular to a system for directing light to a lens of a side marker light using a hollow frustum reflector.Packaging light sources for side marker lights can be challenging because side marker lights are often located in irregular or contoured surfaces of a vehicle.

[0032] refer to Figure 1 , the vehicle 10 may include various light assemblies, including headlamps 14, taillamps 18, daytime running lamps 22, and side marker lamps 26. Each of the light assemblies may be illuminated by activating a light source, such as at least one light emitting diode (LED).

[0033] Reference now Figure 2 And continue to refer to Figure 1 , the daytime running lamp 22 located on the driver's side of the vehicle 10 is illuminated by at least one first LED 30 mounted to the printed circuit board 34. The light L from the first LED 30 1 The light from the first LED 30 passes through the lens 38 of the daytime running lamp 22. The first LED 30 emits light when activated. Those skilled in the art and having the benefit of this disclosure can understand how to activate an LED to emit light.

[0034] At least one second LED 40 is mounted to the printed circuit board 34 of the daytime running lamp 22. The side marker lamp 26 is illuminated by the second LED 40. Because the second LED 40 is mounted to the printed circuit board 34 of the daytime running lamp 22, an additional printed circuit board and LED specifically for illuminating the side marker lamp 26 are not required. This can reduce complexity, among other things.

[0035] In this example, the daytime running lights 22 are illuminated by first LEDs 30 mounted to the printed circuit board 34, and the side marker lights 26 are illuminated by second LEDs 40 mounted to the printed circuit board 34. In another example, the same one or more LEDs may illuminate both the daytime running lights 22 and the side marker lights 26. That is, the same one or more LEDs may illuminate the lenses of the daytime running lights and the lenses of the side marker lights.

[0036] Reference now Figures 3 to 5 And continue to refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the frustum reflector 42 is disposed between the second LED 40 and the lens 46 of the side marker lamp 26. In this example, the frustum reflector 42 is a polymer-based hollow structure. The frustum reflector 42 may be a molded polycarbonate material.

[0037] The frustum reflector 42 directs light from the second LED 40 to a lens 46 of the side marker light 26. The lens 46 may be molded with the frustum reflector 42 so that the lens 46 and the frustum reflector 42 are a single structure. Alternatively, the lens 46 may be separate from the frustum reflector 42.

[0038] The inner surface 50 of the example frustum reflector 42 is white to promote reflection of light within the frustum reflector 42. The frustum reflector 42 can be painted white, molded from a white material, or both. In some examples, the inner surface 50 can be covered with a highly reflective film.

[0039] An end 54 of the frustum reflector 42 leads to the second LED 40. An opposite end 58 of the frustum reflector 42 leads to the lens 46 of the side marker lamp 26. To illuminate the lens 46 of the side marker lamp 26, the second LED 40 is activated to emit light L 2 Emitted into end 54 of frustum reflector 42. Second LED 40 is shown substantially centered relative to first end 84, but may be offset.

[0040] The frustum reflector 42 reflects the light L 2 Then, the light L 2 The emission passes through lens 46 to illuminate side marker lights 26. Directing the light through frustum reflector 42 may promote uniform distribution of light when viewing lens 46. An inner side 62 of lens 46 may be textured to further help mix and distribute the light passing through lens 46. An outer side 66 or Class A side of lens 46 may also be textured.

[0041] The textured surface of the lens can promote evenly spreading the light. In one embodiment, the texturing can be molded into the lens 46. The texturing can include a grooved area in a pillow shape. The curved surface of the grooved area can spread the light to different angles. The grooved or curved area can be made very small so that the lens 46 can be considered a microstructured lens.

[0042] The lens 38 of the daytime running light 22 faces forward. The lens 46 is outboard of the second LED 40. The lens 46 faces in an outboard direction. The frustum reflector 42 is configured to redirect light from the second LED 40 outboard of the lens 46 of the side marker light 26.

[0043] The example frustum reflector 42 includes an inner surface 50A disposed at a 45 degree angle relative to the lens 46 and the second LED 40. Generally speaking, the light L from the second LED 40 2 When entering the frustum reflector 42, it travels backward relative to the direction of the vehicle 10. 2 The inner surface 50A can be redirected within a range of 80 to 100 degrees so that the light L 2 is directed horizontally to the outside of the lens 46 .

[0044] The inner surface 50 of the frustum reflector 42, other than the inner surface 50A, can help reflect, collimate, and direct the light L toward the lens 46. 2 In some examples, the frustum reflector 42 can help to direct the light L 2 Fifteen degrees of expansion and diffusion. The example frustum reflector 42 can change the Lambertian distribution of light to relatively collimated and controlled light.

[0045] Features of the disclosed examples include incorporating a frustum reflector into the light assembly to direct light from the light source through the lens of the side marker light. Thus, a light source dedicated only to illuminating the side marker light may not be required. The frustum reflector may help to evenly distribute light throughout the lens of the side marker light. In some examples, a contrast ratio of 2.80 to 1 or less may be achieved with the frustum reflector, and no light pipe or light blade is required.

[0046] The foregoing description is illustrative rather than restrictive in nature. Changes and modifications to the disclosed examples may become apparent to those skilled in the art, and the changes and modifications do not necessarily depart from the essence of the present disclosure. Therefore, the scope of protection granted to the present disclosure can only be determined by studying the attached claims.

Claims

1. A vehicle lighting system, comprising: a light source that emits light; Lenses for vehicle lights; as well as A frustum reflector directs light from the light source to the lens of the vehicle lamp.

2. The vehicle light system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle light is a side marker light such that the lens is a side marker light lens.

3. The vehicle light system of claim 1, wherein the light source is a first light source mounted to a printed circuit board, wherein the vehicle light is a first vehicle light, and wherein the vehicle light system further comprises: A second light source mounted to the printed circuit board, the second light source configured to illuminate a second vehicle light different from the first vehicle light, and optionally wherein the first vehicle light is a side marker light and the second vehicle light is a daytime running light.

4. The vehicle light system of claim 1, wherein the light source is at least one light emitting diode mounted to a printed circuit board of the side marker light.

5. The vehicle light system of claim 1, wherein the frustum reflector is a white frustum reflector.

6. The vehicle light system of claim 1 wherein the frustum reflector redirects light from the light source, and optionally wherein the frustum reflector redirects the light from the light source within a range of 80 degrees to 100 degrees.

7. The vehicle light system of claim 6, wherein the frustum reflector includes a surface disposed at a 45 degree angle relative to the lens and the light source, the surface redirecting the light from the light source.

8. The vehicle light system of claim 1, wherein the lens is a microstructure lens.

9. The vehicle light system of claim 1, wherein at least an inner side of the lens is textured.

10. The vehicle light system of claim 1, wherein the frustum reflector is hollow.

11. A vehicle lighting method, comprising: emitting light from a light source into a frustum reflector; redirecting the light within the frustum reflector; as well as A vehicle lamp is illuminated using the light redirected within the frustum reflector.

12. The vehicle lighting method of claim 11, wherein the light source is a first light source mounted to a printed circuit board, wherein the vehicle lamp is a first vehicle lamp, and the vehicle lighting method further comprises: A second light source mounted to the printed circuit board, the second light source configured to illuminate a second vehicle light different from the first vehicle light, and optionally wherein the first vehicle light is a side marker light and the second vehicle light is a daytime running light.

13. The vehicle lighting method according to claim 11, further comprising: A lens of the daytime running lamp is illuminated using light emitted from the light source.

14. The vehicle lighting method of claim 11, wherein said illuminating comprises illuminating a lens of a side marker lamp, and optionally wherein said lens has a textured inner side.

15. The vehicle lighting method of claim 11, wherein the frustum reflector is hollow, and optionally wherein the frustum reflector redirects the light from the light source within a range of 80 degrees to 100 degrees.

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