Combined stop/turn/tail/clearance lamp using light emitting diode technology

• US 20020024822A1
• Filed: 08/31/2001
• Published: 02/28/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Truck-Lite Company LLC (Truck-Lite Holdings 2 Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Truck-Lite Company Incorporated (Truck-Lite)
• Inventors: Pond, Gregory, Roller, Philip C.
• Granted Patent: US 6,654,172 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/555
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2607 comprising at least two indicating lamps
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2696 Mounting of devices using LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/32 for indicating vehicle sides , e.g. clearance lights
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/14 Light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/26 Refractors, transparent cover plates, light guides or filters not provided in groups F21S43/235 - F21S43/255

Abstract

A tail/stop lamp assembly is disclosed that uses as a light source light emitting diodes, specifically SnapLEDs™. The tail/stop lamp assembly is composed of housing, a lens, and a SnapLED™ array. The lens is composed of six different optical units surrounded by Fresnel rings. The housing is of a very slim design. The combination of optics and housing is a stylish, sturdy and efficient tail/stop lamp assembly that complies with Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) standards.

Claims

1. A lamp assembly comprising:

a housing;

a printed circuit board;

a flexible support operatively connected to said printed circuit board;

at least one light emitting diode operatively connected to said flexible support;

a lens for transmitting light emitted from said at least one light emitting diode.

2. A lamp assembly according to claim 1 further comprising potting material covering the flexible support and at least part of said at least one light emitting diode.

3. A lamp assembly according to claim 2 wherein said potting material is an epoxy.

4. A lamp assembly according to claim 1 further comprising a flange to permit mounting of said lamp assembly.

5. A lamp assembly according to claim 4 wherein said flange is adapted to receive a fastener.

6. A lamp assembly according to claim 1 wherein said lamp assembly meets the minimum photometric requirements of Society of Automotive Engineers'"'"' Standards J585e, J1398, and J592e.

7. A lamp assembly comprising:

a housing;

a printed circuit board;

a flexible support operatively connected to said printed circuit board;

at least one light emitting diode operatively connected to said flexible support; and

,

a lens for transmitting light emitted from said at least one light emitting diode;

said

lens having at least one optical element.

8. A lamp assembly according to claim 7 further comprising potting material covering the flexible support and at least part of said at least one light emitting diode.

9. A lamp assembly according to claim 8 wherein said potting material is an epoxy.

10. A lamp assembly according to claim 7 further comprising a flange to permit mounting of said assembly.

11. A lamp assembly according to claim 10 wherein said flange is adapted to receive a fastener.

12. A lamp assembly according to claim 7 wherein said lamp meets the minimum photometric requirements of Society of Automotive Engineers'"'"' Standards J585e, J1398, and J592e.

14. A lamp assembly according to claim 13 further comprising potting material covering the flexible support and at least part of said at least one light emitting diode.

15. A lamp assembly according to claim 14 wherein said potting material is an epoxy.

16. A lamp assembly according to claim 13 further comprising a flange to permit mounting of said assembly.

17. A lamp assembly according to claim 16 wherein said flange is adapted to receive a fastener.

18. A lamp assembly according to claim 13 wherein said lamp meets the minimum photometric requirements of Society of Automotive Engineers'"'"' Standards J585e, J1398, and J592e.

20. A lamp assembly according to claim 19 further comprising potting material covering the flexible support and at least part of said at least one light emitting diode.

21. A lamp assembly according to claim 20 wherein said potting material is an epoxy.

22. A lamp assembly according to claim 19 further comprising a flange to permit mounting of said assembly.

23. A lamp assembly according to claim 22 wherein said flange is adapted to receive a fastener.

24. A lamp assembly according to claim 19 wherein said lamp meets the minimum photometric requirements of Society of Automotive Engineers'"'"' Standards J585e, J1398, and J592e.

13. A lamp assembly comprising:

a housing;

a printed circuit board;

a flexible support operatively connected to said printed circuit board;

at least one light emitting diode operatively connected to said flexible support; and

,

a lens for transmitting light from said at least one light emitting diode, said lens having,

a first optical element to scatter said light;

a second optical element to spread said light at an angle substantially 45°

to the left and right of the longitudinal axis of said at least one light emitting diode; and

,

a third optical element to scatter said light.

19. A lamp assembly comprising:

a housing;

a printed circuit board;

a flexible support operatively connected to said printed circuit board;

at least one light emitting diode operatively connected to said flexible support; and

,

a lens for transmitting light from said at least one light emitting diode, said lens having,

a first optical element to scatter said light;

a second optical element to spread said light at an angle substantially 45°

to the left and right of the longitudinal axis of said at least one light emitting diode;

a third optical element to scatter said light; and

,

a fourth optical element to refract said light into a common focus.