Illumination assembly for a vehicle

• US 10,486,587 B2
• Filed: 07/31/2016
• Issued: 11/26/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rebo Lighting & Electronics, LLC
• Original Assignee: Rebo Lighting & Electronics, LLC
• Inventors: Irgang, Todd, Kowalchik, Stephen, Dominick, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Garlen, Alexander K
• Assistant Examiner(s): Eide, Eric T
• Application Number:
  US15/224,595
• Publication Number:
  US 20170028905A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,213 Days
• Field of Search: 362497
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0041 of several lamps in relation to each other
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/22 for reverse drive
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2607 comprising at least two indicating lamps
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/56 for illuminating registrations or the like , e.g. for licence plates
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/14 Light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/19 Attachment of light sources or lamp holders
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/237 rod-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/243 emitting light from one or more of its extremities
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/247 with a single light source being coupled into the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/26 Refractors, transparent cover plates, light guides or filters not provided in groups F21S43/235 - F21S43/255
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/30 characterised by reflectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/31 Optical layout thereof
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/315 using total internal reflection
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/40 characterised by the combination of reflectors and refractors
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2103/45 Reversing lights
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2103/50 Registration plate lights
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0005 the light guides being of the fibre type G02B6/0003 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0008 the light being emitted at the end of the fibre
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0046 Tapered light guide, e.g. wedge-shaped light guide

Abstract

An illumination assembly for a vehicle. The assembly includes a lamp having a first light source; a first collimator adapted to receive light from the first light source; and an optical wedge, wherein the first collimator is positioned between the first light source and the optical wedge.

Claims

1. An illumination assembly for a vehicle, comprising:

a backup camera lamp (BCL), wherein the BCL comprises;

a first light source;

a first collimator adapted to receive light from the first light source, the first collimator having a collimator output exit boundary; and

an optical wedge, wherein the first collimator is positioned between the first light source and the optical wedge, the optical wedge having a light receiving surface, a light reflecting side, and a light transmitting surface, wherein the collimator output exit boundary is coincident with at least a portion of the light receiving surface, and wherein the light transmitting surface is configured to allow passage of the light from the first light source therethrough; and

a license plate lamp (LPL), wherein the LPL comprises;

a second light source;

a second collimator adapted to receive light from the second light source; and

a lens, wherein the second collimator is positioned between the second light source and the lens.

3. The illumination assembly of claim 1, wherein the first light source is positioned along a first collimator axis and the second light source is positioned along a second collimator axis, wherein the axes are substantially parallel.

4. The illumination assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the first or second collimators are one of a dome optic or a Fresnel optic.

5. The illumination assembly of claim 1, wherein the lens of the LPL includes a plurality of optical elements.

6. The illumination assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second light sources are light emitting diodes (LEDs).

2. An illumination assembly for a vehicle, comprising:

a backup camera lamp (BCL), wherein the BCL comprises;

a first light source;

a first collimator adapted to receive light from the first light source, the first collimator having a collimator output exit boundary; and

an optical wedge, wherein the first collimator is positioned between the first light source and the optical wedge, the optical wedge having a light receiving surface, wherein the collimator output exit boundary is coincident with at least a portion of the light receiving surface; and

a license plate lamp (LPL), wherein the LPL comprises;

a second light source; and

a second collimator adapted to receive light from the second light source; and

a lens, wherein the second collimator is positioned between the second light source and the lens;

wherein the first collimator, the optical wedge, the second collimator, and the lens are formed in a single piece of material.

7. An illumination assembly for a vehicle, comprising:

a backup camera lamp (BCL), wherein the BCL comprises;

a first light source;

a first collimator adapted to receive light from the first light source; and

an optical wedge, wherein the first collimator is positioned between the first light source and the optical wedge; and

a license plate lamp (LPL), wherein the LPL comprises;

a second light source; and

a second collimator adapted to receive light from the second light source; and

a lens, wherein the second collimator is positioned between the second light source and the lens, wherein the lens is configured to distribute and refract collimated light from the second light source and the second collimator.

8. The illumination assembly of claim 7, wherein the lens includes multiple optical elements configured to distribute and refract collimated light from the second light source and the second collimator.

9. The illumination assembly of claim 8, wherein the multiple optical elements includes multiple flutes.

10. The illumination assembly of claim 8, wherein the multiple optical elements includes pillow-shaped optics.

11. The illumination assembly of claim 8, wherein the lens is configured to distribute and refract collimated light from the second light source and the second collimator in a light distribution pattern that is compliant with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108 (FMVSS 108).