Sun phantom LED traffic signal

• US 6,731,222 B2
• Filed: 05/16/2002
• Issued: 05/04/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Current Lighting Solutions, LLC (f/k/a GE Lighting Solutions, LLC) (American Industrial Partners)
• Original Assignee: Gelcore (General Electric Company)
• Inventors: Martineau, Patrick
• Primary Examiner(s): Mullen, Jr., Thomas J
• Application Number:
  US10/150,052
• Publication Number:
  US 20020186143A1
• Time in Patent Office: 719 Days
• Field of Search: 340/815.45, 340/907, 340/463, 340/468, 362/800
• US Class Current: 340/815.45
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 2207/02 using light-emitting diodes [LEDs]
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 5/1827 using light sources of different colours and a common optical system
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 5/1845 Optical systems, lenses
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 5/1854 Mounting and focussing of the light source in a lamp, fixing means
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 15/04 Resilient mountings, e.g. shock absorbers shock absorbing devices of vehicle headlamp housings B60Q1/0491; in general F16F15/04
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 17/164 the parts being subjected to bending, e.g. snap joints
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0442 activated by means of a sensor, e.g. motion or photodetectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 31/00 Gas-tight or water-tight arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 31/005 Sealing arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 5/04 of lens shape
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/0091 using total internal reflection
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2111/02 for roads, paths or the like
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2103/33 annular
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/095 Traffic lights
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 27/008 Sun shades, shades, hoods or louvres on electronic displays to minimise the effect of direct sun light on the display
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

A light emitting diode signal with reduced susceptibility to the “sun phantom” effect. A single printed circuit board populated with both the power supply circuitry and the light emitting diodes is located at an increased distance from the front cover which is angled to direct extraneous light away from the viewers position. A snap together housing reduces overall cost and assembly time. Light from the light emitting diodes distributed across the single printed circuit board to project an overlapping light pattern is collimated by a multiple collimating zone optical element which creates a uniform display aspect without discernable individual points of light.

Claims

1. A LED signal comprising:

a housing having an interior area,

a plurality of LEDs,

a collimating element having collimating zones, and

a distribution cover having a light transmission surface;

said plurality of LEDs arranged in rings and/or lines within said interior area of said housing,

said collimating element arranged between said LED and said distribution cover,

said collimating zones arranged to correspond to the arrangement of the LEDs, and said housing and said distribution cover having means for attachment which attaches said distribution cover to said housing, wherein said signal is a 12″

nominal size, and said light transmission surface has a spherical shape having an arc radius greater than 24″

.

2. A LED signal comprising:

a housing having an interior area,

a plurality of LEDs,

a collimating element having collimating zones, and

a distribution cover having a light transmission surface;

said plurality of LEDs arranged in rings and/or lines within said interior area of said housing,

said collimating element arranged between said LED and said distribution cover,

said collimating zones arranged to correspond to the arrangement of the LEDs, and said housing and said distribution cover having means for attachment which attaches said distribution cover to said housing, wherein said signal is a 8″

nominal size, and said light transmission surface has a spherical section having an arc radius greater than 18″

.

3. A LED signal comprising:

a housing having an interior area,

at least one LED mounted on a first side of

a PCB arranged within said interior area of said housing, also housing a power supply circuit on said first side,

a collimating element, and

a distribution cover having a light transmission surface;

said collimating element arranged between said PCB and said distribution cover.

4. The LED signal of claim 3, wherein said light transmission surface is angled with respect to a reference plane normal to a light emission centerline of the at least one LED.

5. The LED signal of claim 4, wherein said means for attachment is at least one tab mateable to a corresponding socket.

6. The LED signal of claim 3, wherein said means for attachment is at least one tab mateable to a corresponding socket.

7. The LED signal of claim 3, further including sealing means to environmentally seal said LED signal.

8. A LED signal comprising:

a housing having an interior area,

a plurality of LEDs mounted on a first side of a PCB arranged within said interior area of said housing, and said housing and a distribution cover having means for attachment which attaches said distribution cover to said housing, and

said distribution cover having a light transmission surface;

a collimating element arranged between said PCB and said distribution, cover said collimating element having collimating zones;

said LEDs arranged in rings and/or lines; and

said collimating zones arranged to correspond to the arrangement of LEDs, wherein said means for attachment is at least one tab mateable to a corresponding socket.

9. A LED signal comprising:

a housing having an interior area,

at least one LED,

a collimating element, and

a distribution cover having a light transmission surface;

said at least one LED arranged within said interior area of said housing, said collimating element arranged between said LED and said distribution cover, said housing and said distribution cover having means for attachment which attaches said distribution cover to said housing,

wherein said means for attachment is at least one tab mateable to a corresponding socket.

10. The LED signal of claim 9, further including sealing means to environmentally seal said LED signal.

11. The LED signal of claim 10, wherein said sealing means is an O-ring.

12. A LED signal comprising:

a housing having an interior area,

at least one LED,

a collimating element, and

a distribution cover having a light transmission surface;

said at least one LED arranged within said interior area of said housing,

said collimating element arranged between said LED and said distribution cover, said housing and said distribution cover having means for attachment which attaches said distribution cover to said housing,

wherein said at least one LED are electronically interconnected by mounting upon a first side of a PCB further including LED power supply electrical components and circuitry on the first side of the PCB.

13. The LED signal of claim 12, wherein said at least one LED are arranged in at least one substantially circular configuration.

14. The LED signal of claim 12, wherein said at least one LED are arranged in at least one substantially linear configuration.

15. The LED signal of claim 12, wherein said collimating element includes collimating zones arranged and configured with respect to the distribution of said LEDs on said PCB.

16. The LED signal of claim 15, wherein said collimating zones are arranged in concentric circles.

17. The LED signal of claim 12, wherein said signal is a 12″

nominal size, and said light transmission surface has a spherical shape having an arc radius greater than 24″

.

18. The LED signal of claim 12, wherein said signal is a 8″

nominal size, and said light transmission surface has a spherical section having an arc radius greater than 18″

.

19. The LED signal of claim 12, wherein said light transmission surface is flat.

20. The LED signal of claim 12, wherein said light transmission surface is angled with respect to a reference plane normal to a light emission centerline of the at least one LED.