Illumination device

• US 20050030733A1
• Filed: 09/13/2004
• Published: 02/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Marelli Automotive Lighting Reutlingen (Germany) GmbH
• Original Assignee: Automotive Lighting Reutlingen GmbH (Stellantis NV)
• Inventors: Ackermann, Ralf, Schuster, Kurt, Heinbuch, Petra
• Granted Patent: US 7,011,438 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/602
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0052 concentric
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/28 for indicating front of vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2400/30 Daytime running lights [DRL], e.g. circuits or arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/00 Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps reversing lights F21S43/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/143 the main emission direction of the LED being parallel to the optical axis of the illuminating device
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/153 arranged in a matrix
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/321 the reflector being a surface of revolution or a planar surface, e.g. truncated
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/323 the reflector having two perpendicular cross sections having regular geometrical curves of a distinct nature
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/365 successively reflecting the light
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/30 characterised by reflectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/31 Optical layout thereof
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 5/045 the lens having discontinuous faces, e.g. Fresnel lenses
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2103/55 Daytime running lights [DRL]
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

A method for operating an illumination device as a day travelling light, in particular for automotive vehicles, wherein the device comprises a light source in an illumination housing and a means associated with the light source for bundling the light emitted by the light source, utilizes a light source comprising at least one LED (13).

Claims

1. A method for operating an illumination device, in particular for automotive vehicles, the method comprising the step of:

operating the illumination device as a day travelling light, wherein the device comprises a illumination housing, a light source disposed in said illumination housing, said light source having at least one LED, and means for directing light emitted by said light source.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said directing means comprises a reflector.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said at least one LED is installed in an optics having a Cassegrain mirror reflector geometry.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said directing means comprises a Fresnel optics.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the day travelling light is disposed in an external mirror.

6. The, method of claim 5, wherein said directing means comprises a Fresnel optics disposed in a covering plate of said external mirror.

7. The method of claim 5, further comprising an additional illumination means, wherein the day travelling light comprises several LEDs disposed about said additional illumination means.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said additional illumination means comprises one of a low beam, a driving light, and a fog light module.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said at least one LED is white.