LED signalling light

• US 5,490,049 A
• Filed: 07/07/1994
• Issued: 02/06/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 07/07/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Valeo Vision (Valeo SE)
• Original Assignee: Valeo Vision (Valeo SE)
• Inventors: Durand, Dominique, Montalan, Dominique, Vin, Stephane, Gasquet, Jean-Claude
• Primary Examiner(s): Husar, Stephen F.
• Application Number:
  US08/271,197
• Time in Patent Office: 579 Days
• Field of Search: 362/61, 362/80, 362/240, 362/241, 362/245, 362/328, 362/329, 362/309, 362/331, 362/800, 362/247
• US Class Current: 362/240
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2696 Mounting of devices using LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/14 Light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/22 electroluminescent electroluminescent light sources per se H05B33/00
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/30 Driver circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/40 Details of LED load circuits
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

A signalling light for a motor vehicle having a plurality of individual light-emitting diodes co-operating with optical arrangements, a common inner plate, a common outer plate, and closure cover situated outside the outer plate. The signalling light further having a plurality of elongate printed circuits on which the respective light-emitting diodes are mounted and wherein the inner plate has means for mounting the printed circuits parallel to one another to provide for a block of signalling lights.

Claims

1. A signalling light for a motor vehicle, the light comprising:

a plurality of individual light-emitting diode light sources co-operating with optical arrangements;

a common inner plate having a set of outwardly-flaring cavities and having openings at their small ends through which respective LEDs emit light;

a common outer plate disposed substantially against the outside face of said inner plate and including an optical arrangement over each cavity for processing the light from the corresponding LED; and

a closure cover situated outside the outer plate,

the light further comprising a plurality of elongate printed circuits on which respective pluralities of LEDs are mounted, and wherein the inner plate includes means for mounting said printed circuits parallel to one another.

2. A signalling light according to claim 1, further including a base co-operating with the cover to define a cavity of uniform thickness, and wherein the inner plate and the outer plate are received in said cavity.

3. A signalling light according to claim 2, wherein peripheral assembly means are provided for assembling the inner plate to the outer plate.

4. A signalling light according to claim 3, wherein peripheral assembly means are provided for assembling the outer plate to the base.

5. A signalling light according to claim 3, wherein the peripheral assembly means comprise resilient snap-fastening means.

6. A signalling light according to claim 4, wherein peripheral assembly means are provided for assembling the cover on the outer plate.

7. A signalling light according to claim 1, wherein said assembly means for the printed circuits comprise two webs extending along two opposite edges of said inner plate and in which notches are formed for receiving the opposite ends of said printed circuits.

8. A signalling light according to claim 1, wherein the LEDs mounted on a common printed circuit are connected together electrically in parallel.

9. A signalling light according to claim 8, wherein a plurality of printed circuits are connected in series between the terminals of a power supply, with a resistance being connected in series therewith.

10. A signalling light according to claim 1, wherein said cavities of the inner plate, and said optical arrangements of the outer plate are held apart by respective link portions, and wherein the link portions of the inner plate and the link portions of the outer plate present shapes that are complementary.

11. A signalling light according to claim 10, wherein the link portions of the inner plate and/or of the outer plate include appearance treatment.

12. A signalling light according to claim 1, wherein the optical arrangements are constituted by Fresnel lenses.

13. A signaling light according to claim 12, wherein each Fresnel lens comprises concentric arrangements formed on the face of the outer plate that faces the cover.

14. A signalling light according to claim 13, wherein peripheral sealing means are provided between the cover and the outer plate.

15. A signalling light block, comprising a plurality of signalling lights according to claim 1, wherein an inner plate is provided for each signalling light, and wherein a common outer plate is provided for at least two adjacent signalling lights.

16. A signalling light block according to claim 15, wherein, between the outer plate and the cover, wall-forming means are provided to separate the areas illuminated by each signalling light.

17. A signalling light block according to claim 15, wherein a space is provided between two adjacent signalling lights, wherein wall-forming means are provided between the outer plate and the cover to define a closed cavity between the outer plate and the cover, and wherein catadioptric retro-reflection elements are formed on the cover on its face facing the inside of the cavity.

18. A signalling light block according to claim 16, wherein the wall-forming means are made integrally with the outer plate and project outwardly therefrom.