Homogeneous rear combination lamps without external lenses

Abstract

A rear combination lamp for a vehicle includes an opaque first housing member; a first light source within the first housing member; a first light guide abutting the first housing member and surrounding the first light source, with a first tail light portion extending from the first light guide; a structural member that is opaque and abutting the first light guide on a side opposite the first housing member; a second light guide abutting the structural member on a side opposite the first light guide, with a second tail light portion extending from the second light guide; a second housing member that is opaque and abutting the second light guide on a side opposite the structural member; and a second light source within the second housing member, where the second light guide surrounds the second light source.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] [CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 383,582, entitled "HOMOGENEOUS REAR COMBINATION LAMP WITHOUT OUTER LENS," filed November 14, 2022, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] This document relates to a homogeneous rear combination lamp without an external lens. [Background technology]

[0003] In the past, there have been several attempts to design vehicle taillights that combine two or more light signaling functions, sometimes called rear combination lamps. Early designs included an incandescent bulb mounted within a housing with a reflector and covered by one or more external lenses to protect the bulb from water and damage and to control the flow of light. More recent designs have used semiconductor devices, typically at least one light-emitting diode (LED) powered by a circuit board. However, these later approaches have continued to rely on an external lens for the combination lamp, within which optical components such as a light guide are mounted. Additionally, past approaches have primarily been based on design principles that assemble components along a primarily horizontal axis (e.g., optical lens-light guide-LED / circuit board-housing). Summary of the Invention

[0004] In one aspect, a rear combination lamp for a vehicle includes an opaque first housing member; a first light source within the first housing member; a first light guide abutting the first housing member and surrounding the first light source, with a first tail light portion extending from the first light guide; a structural member that is opaque and abutting the first light guide on a side opposite the first housing member; a second light guide abutting the structural member on a side opposite the first light guide, with a second tail light portion extending from the second light guide; a second housing member that is opaque and abutting the second light guide on a side opposite the structural member; and a second light source within the second housing member, where the second light guide surrounds the second light source.

[0005] The implementation may include any or all of the following features: The first tail light portion and the second tail light portion extend rearward on the vehicle from the first housing member and the second housing member, respectively. The first housing member, the first light source, the first light guide, the structural member, the second light guide, the second light source, and the second housing member are assembled substantially along the z-direction of a vehicle coordinate system. The rear combination lamp forms a stack of components including a rear joint and a front joint. The rear joint includes the first housing member, the first light guide, the structural member, the second light guide, and the second housing member, which form a first seal. The front joint includes the first housing member, the first light guide, the structural member, the second light guide, and the second housing member, which form a second seal. The first light guide has a raised portion adjacent to the first light source. The structural member has a shape that supports the raised portion. The raised portion includes a light collimator. The first light guide further has an outer surface that forms an approximately 45-degree angle with the first light source and the first tail light portion. The second light guide has a raised portion adjacent to the second light source. The second light guide further has an outer surface that forms an approximately 45-degree angle with the second light source and the second tail light portion. The second light guide further has a portion that extends from the raised portion in a direction opposite the second tail light portion, the portion being thinner than the raised portion and the second tail light portion. Each of the first light source and the second light source includes a light-emitting diode. The rear combination lamp is a full-size tail light extending to the left and right of the vehicle. The first light guide extends along the entire length of the full-size tail light. The first light guide is a tail light and brake light for the vehicle. The second light guide extends along only a portion of the entire length of the full-size tail light. The second light guide is a turn signal light for the vehicle.At the rear of the vehicle, only the first tail light portion, the second tail light portion, and a portion of the structural member extend beyond the vehicle trim, and the portion of the structural member is disposed between the first tail light portion and the second tail light portion. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] 1 shows an example of a rear combination lamp for a vehicle.

[0007] [Figure 2] 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of the rear combination lamp shown in FIG. 1.

[0008] [Figure 3] 1 shows an exemplary cross section of a rear combination lamp.

[0009] Like reference numbers in the various drawings indicate like elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] This document describes example systems and techniques for a homogenous rear combination lamp without an external lens for a vehicle. The rear combination lamp has a light guide that is not covered by an external lens and is exposed to the surrounding environment (e.g., in the trunk lid or lift gate of the vehicle), and the remainder of the lamp assembly may be covered by trim. The homogenous rear combination lamp can essentially be designed as a stack of components assembled substantially along the z-direction of the vehicle coordinate system, while ensuring that the light guide is properly oriented when installed.

[0011] Examples herein refer to vehicles. A vehicle is a machine that transports passengers, cargo, or both. A vehicle can have one or more motors that use at least one type of fuel or other energy source (e.g., electricity). Examples of vehicles include, but are not limited to, cars, trucks, and buses. Different types of vehicles may have different numbers of wheels, one or more (e.g., all) of which may be used to propel the vehicle, or the vehicle may be unpowered (e.g., when a trailer is attached to another vehicle). A vehicle may include a passenger compartment that accommodates one or more people.

[0012] Examples described herein refer to top, bottom, front, side, or back. These and similar expressions identify things or aspects relatively based on explicit or arbitrary notions of perspective. That is, these terms are merely examples used for descriptive purposes and do not necessarily indicate the only possible positions, orientations, etc.

[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates an example rear combination lamp 100 for a vehicle. FIG. 2 illustrates an enlarged portion of the rear combination lamp 100 of FIG. 1 . The rear combination lamp 100 may be used with one or more other examples described elsewhere herein. The rear combination lamp 100 eliminates the use of an external lens and may be located at the rear end of the vehicle, for example, on a liftgate, trunk lid, bumper, or fascia. For illustrative purposes, the rear combination lamp 100 is shown here with an exemplary portion of trim or other structure. In some implementations, the rear combination lamp 100 is a full-size tail light that extends to the left and right sides of the vehicle. For example, a vehicle may have a clamshell trunk lid design, and the rear combination lamp 100 may be part of a wraparound tail light fixture on the trunk lid. In some implementations, the rear combination lamp 100 may also be configured to function as a handle for the liftgate or trunk lid and / or to accommodate additional lighting for a license plate (not shown). The vehicle may be a sport utility vehicle, a sedan, a utility vehicle, a crossover vehicle, a minivan, or a pickup truck, to name just a few.

[0014] The rear combination lamp 100 includes a tail light portion 102 that extends along substantially the entire length of the rear combination lamp 100 and a tail light portion 104 that extends along only a portion of the entire length of the rear combination lamp 100. Each of the tail light portions 102 and 104 may be part of a respective light guide of the rear combination lamp 100, eliminating the use of an external lens, for example, as shown below. In one or more portions along the length of the rear combination lamp 100 where the tail light portion 104 does not extend, the location of the tail light portion 104 may instead be occupied by a portion 102' of the tail light portion 102 and / or by vehicle trim 106 of the vehicle. For example, the vehicle trim 106 may be mounted to a trunk lid, lift gate, or other portion of the vehicle body and decorated with badges, emblems, and / or design features.

[0015] Each of the tail light portions 102 and 104 can be used for one or more functions of light signaling. In some implementations, the tail light portion 102 is a tail light and a brake light for the vehicle. For example, the tail light can be on whenever the vehicle is on (unless specifically switched off), but the brake light (e.g., at a different intensity) is activated while the vehicle is actively or passively braking. In some implementations, the tail light portion 104 is a turn signal light for the vehicle. For example, the tail light portion 104 can extend from the end of the rear combination lamp 100 to a point 108 on each half of the rear combination lamp 100. Either side of the tail light portion 104 can flash to signal a turn.

[0016] The rear combination lamp 100 may include a structural member 110 disposed between the tail light portions 102 and 104. The structural member 110 may function as a support to provide strength and rigidity and / or to block light leakage between the tail light portions 102 and 104 within the rear combination lamp 100. As such, at the rear of the vehicle, the tail light portions 102 and 104 and the structural member 110 may be the only components of the rear combination lamp 100 that extend beyond the vehicle trim 106.

[0017] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary cross-section of a rear combination lamp 300. The rear combination lamp 300 may be used with one or more other examples described elsewhere herein. For example, the rear combination lamp 100 of FIGS. 1-2 may be similar to or identical to the rear combination lamp 300. The rear combination lamp 300 is described herein with reference to a vehicle coordinate system including respective x, y, and z axes. For example, the positive x-direction may correspond to a direction from the front wheels to the rear wheels of the vehicle; the positive y-direction may correspond to a lateral direction perpendicular to the x-direction (e.g., a direction from the driver to the passenger); and the z-direction may correspond to a vertical direction (e.g., positive upward and negative downward relative to the vehicle). The cross-section is taken in the x-z plane; i.e., the view is taken along the y-direction across the width of the vehicle. For example, the left side of the view may face the front of the vehicle, and the right side of the view may face the rear. For illustrative purposes only, some components of rear combination lamp 300 are shown somewhat separated from one another to clarify the geometry of the illustrated structure.

[0018] One advantage of rear combination lamp 300 is that it has a design that facilitates assembly substantially along the z-direction. In some implementations, assembly can be performed along or near the z-direction, depending on some tolerance. For example, the tolerance may be approximately + / - 15 degrees along the z-direction. This contrasts with previous approaches to lamp design, which primarily assemble lamps in the x-direction, particularly with the external lens being the outermost (i.e., rearmost) component in a stack of such components. Rear combination lamp 300, on the other hand, does not have an external lens and is instead assembled substantially in the z-direction.

[0019] The rear combination lamp 300 may include an opaque housing member 302. For example, the housing member 302 may be made of a metal or a composite, such as a polymer material. The rear combination lamp 300 may include a light source 304 within the housing member 302. For example, the light source 304 may include at least one LED disposed on a circuit board (e.g., a printed circuit board). The rear combination lamp 300 may include a light guide 306 abutting the housing member 302 and surrounding the light source 304. For example, the housing member 302 may form a cavity in which the light source 304 is disposed, and the light guide 306 may at least partially cover such cavity. The light guide 306 may include any material that allows the light guide 306 to guide electromagnetic waves of at least visible light from the light source 304, including, but not limited to, a polymer material, such as a plastic material, and / or a silicone material, and / or glass. A tail light portion 308 extends from the light guide 306. The tail light portion 308 is one of the areas where the rear combination lamp 300 emits light visible outside the vehicle (e.g., light directed substantially rearward from the vehicle). The tail light portion 102 in FIGS. 1-2 may include the tail light portion 308. The rear combination lamp 300 may include a structural member 310 that is opaque and abuts the light guide 306 on the side opposite the housing member 302. For example, the structural member 310 may extend essentially along the light guide 306. The structural member 310 may be made of a metal or a composite, such as a polymer material. The rear combination lamp 300 may include a light guide 312 that abuts the structural member 310 on the side opposite the light guide 306. The light guide 312 may be made of the same material as the light guide 306 or a different light guide material. A tail light portion 314 extends from the light guide 312. The tail light portion 314 is another one of the areas where the rear combination lamp 300 emits light that is visible outside the vehicle. The tail light portion 104 of FIGS.The rear combination lamp 300 may include a housing member 316 that is opaque and abuts a light guide 312 on the side opposite the structural member 310. The housing member 316 may be made of the same material as the housing member 302 or a different opaque material. The rear combination lamp 300 may include a light source 318 within the housing member 316. For example, the light source 318 may include at least one LED disposed on a circuit board (e.g., a printed circuit board). The housing member 316 may form a cavity in which the light source 318 is disposed, and the light guide 312 may at least partially cover such cavity.

[0020] The above example illustrates that tail light portions 308 and 314 can each extend rearward on the vehicle from housing members 302 and 316. That is, rear combination lamp 300 does not have any external lenses that cover or protect tail light portions 308 and 314 from the ingress of moisture or dust. Rather, tail light portions 308 and 314, which each extend from a location adjacent to a corresponding internal light source (e.g., an LED), themselves form part of the light-emitting component visible externally and the exterior surface of rear combination lamp 300 when rear combination lamp 300 is installed on a vehicle.

[0021] The above example illustrates that the housing member 302, the light source 304, the light guide 306, the structural member 310, the light guide 312, the light source 318, and the housing member 316 may be assembled substantially along the z direction of the vehicle coordinate system.

[0022] The above example illustrates that rear combination lamp 300 can be formed as a stack of components having rear joint 320 and forward joint 322. Rear joint 320 can include housing member 302, light guide 306, structural member 310, light guide 312, and housing member 316, which form a seal (e.g., rear joint 320 does not have any openings, so water or dust cannot enter the interior of rear combination lamp 300). Forward joint 322 can include housing member 302, light guide 306, structural member 310, light guide 312, and housing member 316, which form a seal (e.g., forward joint 322 does not have any openings, so water or dust cannot enter the interior of rear combination lamp 300).

[0023] The light guide 306 may have a raised portion 324 adjacent to the light source 304. In some implementations, the raised portion 324 may serve to collect light from the light source 304 and direct it toward the tail light portion 308. For example, the raised portion 324 may have a light collimator (e.g., a partially spherical or otherwise rounded shape). The structural member 310 may have a shape that supports the raised portion 324. The light guide 306 may have an outer surface 326 that forms an angle of approximately 45 degrees with the light source 304 and the tail light portion 308. For example, the outer surface 326 may reflect light from the light source 304 and direct it toward the tail light portion 308 by total internal reflection.

[0024] The light guide 312 can have a raised portion 328 adjacent to the light source 318. In some implementations, the raised portion 328 can help collect light from the light source 318 and direct it toward the tail light portion 314. The light guide 312 can have an outer surface 330 that forms an angle of approximately 45 degrees with the light source 318 and the tail light portion 314. For example, the outer surface 330 can reflect light from the light source 318 and direct it toward the tail light portion 314 by total internal reflection.

[0025] The light guide 312 can have a portion 332 that extends from the raised portion 328 in a direction opposite to the tail light portion 314. For example, the portion 332 can be included in the front joint 322. The portion 332 can be thinner than the raised portion 328 and the tail light portion 314. For example, a thinner material dimension can reduce light loss.

[0026] A harness 334 can be disposed within a cavity 336 of the light guide 306. In some implementations, the harness 334 includes electrical conductors that can extend to and / or from any of multiple circuit boards that may be included in the light sources 304 and / or 318. For example, the light guide 306 can use the cavity 336 to hold the harness 334 and facilitate linking the electrical conductors to and from one circuit board.

[0027] As used throughout this specification, the terms "substantially" and "about" are used to describe and take into account small variations, such as those due to processing variations. For example, they can refer to less than or equal to ±5%, such as less than or equal to ±2%, such as less than or equal to ±1%, such as less than or equal to ±0.5%, such as less than or equal to ±0.2%, such as less than or equal to ±0.1%, such as less than or equal to ±0.05%. Also, as used herein, indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" mean "at least one."

[0028] It is to be understood that all combinations of the foregoing concepts, and additional concepts discussed in more detail below, (provided that such concepts are not mutually inconsistent) are contemplated as being part of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein. In particular, all combinations of claimed subject matter appearing at the end of this disclosure are contemplated as being part of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein.

[0029] Although several implementations have been described, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the specification.

[0030] Furthermore, the logic flows depicted in the figures do not require the particular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirable results. Furthermore, other processes may be provided in or removed from the described flows, and other components may be added or removed from the described systems. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.

[0031] While certain features of the described implementations have been shown and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents will now occur to those skilled in the art. It is therefore to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and variations that fall within the scope of the implementations. They have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation, and it is to be understood that various changes in form and detail may be made. Any portions of the apparatus and / or methods described herein may be combined in any combination, except in mutually exclusive combinations. The implementations described herein may include various combinations and / or subcombinations of the functions, components, and / or features of the various implementations described.

Claims

1. A rear combination lamp for a vehicle, the rear combination lamp comprising: an opaque first housing member; a first light source within said first housing member; a first light guide abutting the first housing member and surrounding the first light source, with a first tail light portion extending from the first light guide; a structural member that is opaque and abuts the first light guide on a side opposite the first housing member; a second light guide abutting the structural member opposite the first light guide, with a second tail light portion extending from the second light guide; a second housing member that is opaque and abuts the second light guide on a side opposite the structural member; and a second light source within the second housing member, wherein the second light guide surrounds the second light source; Rear combination lamps equipped with

2. 2. The rear combination lamp of claim 1, wherein the first tail light portion and the second tail light portion extend rearwardly onto the vehicle from the first housing member and the second housing member, respectively.

3. 3. The rear combination lamp of claim 2, wherein the first housing member, the first light source, the first light guide, the structural member, the second light guide, the second light source, and the second housing member are assembled substantially along the z direction of a vehicle coordinate system.

4. 4. A rear combination lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the rear combination lamp forms a stack of components including a rear joint and a front joint.

5. 5. The rear combination lamp of claim 4, wherein the rear joint includes the first housing member, the first light guide, the structural member, the second light guide, and the second housing member forming a first seal.

6. 6. The rear combination lamp of claim 5, wherein the forward joint includes the first housing member, the first light guide, the structural member, the second light guide, and the second housing member forming a second seal.

7. 4. The rear combination lamp of claim 1, wherein the first light guide has a raised portion adjacent the first light source.

8. 8. The rear combination lamp of claim 7, wherein the structural member has a shape that supports the raised portion.

9. 8. The rear combination lamp of claim 7, wherein the raised portion includes a light collimator.

10. 10. The rear combination lamp of claim 9, wherein the first light guide further has an outer surface that forms an angle of approximately 45 degrees with the first light source and the first tail light portion.

11. 4. The rear combination lamp of claim 1, wherein the second light guide has a raised portion adjacent to the second light source.

12. 12. The rear combination lamp of claim 11, wherein the second light guide further has an outer surface that forms an angle of approximately 45 degrees with the second light source and the second tail light portion.

13. 12. The rear combination lamp of claim 11, wherein the second light guide further includes a portion extending from the raised portion in a direction opposite to the second tail light portion, the portion being thinner than the raised portion and the second tail light portion.

14. 4. The rear combination lamp according to claim 1, wherein each of the first light source and the second light source includes a light-emitting diode.

15. 4. The rear combination lamp according to claim 1, wherein the rear combination lamp is a full-size tail light extending to the left and right of the vehicle.

16. 16. The rear combination lamp of claim 15, wherein the first light guide extends along the entire length of the full-sized tail light.

17. 17. The rear combination lamp of claim 16, wherein the first light guide is a tail light and a brake light for the vehicle.

18. 17. The rear combination lamp of claim 16, wherein the second light guide extends along only a portion of the length of the full-sized tail light.

19. 17. The rear combination lamp of claim 16, wherein the second light guide is a turn signal light for the vehicle.

20. 4. The rear combination lamp according to claim 1, wherein at a rear portion of the vehicle, only the first tail light portion, the second tail light portion, and a portion of the structural member extend beyond a vehicle trim, and the portion of the structural member is disposed between the first tail light portion and the second tail light portion.

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