Vehicle light assembly

• US 6,830,364 B2
• Filed: 03/05/2003
• Issued: 12/14/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Light Emitting Designs, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Zorak Ter-Oganesian
• Inventors: Ter-Oganesian, Zorak
• Primary Examiner(s): Sember, Thomas M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TRUONG, BAO Q
• Application Number:
  US10/382,670
• Publication Number:
  US 20030142505A1
• Time in Patent Office: 650 Days
• Field of Search: 362/518, 362/545, 362/241, 362/247, 362/305, 362/304, 362/297, 362/346, 362/348, 362/349, 362/240, 362/516, 362/517, 362/800, 362/544, 362/243, 362/301, 362/302
• US Class Current: 362/518
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/32 for indicating vehicle sides , e.g. clearance lights
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/337 the reflector having a structured surface, e.g. with facets or corrugations
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/14 Light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/30 characterised by reflectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/40 characterised by the combination of reflectors and refractors
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/1876 Diffractive Fresnel lenses; Zone plates; Kinoforms G02B5/1842, G02B5/1847 take precedence; optical systems having diffractive correction means G02B27/0037; Fresnel lenses operating by refraction G02B3/08

Abstract

A vehicle light assembly includes a reflector having apertures formed in a circumferential wall thereof which are configured to accept light emitting diodes therethrough in an orientation generally perpendicular to the circumferential wall. The reflector includes a reflective protuberance, which is typically multi-faceted, extending upwardly from an interior surface of the reflector and generally centered with respect to the light emitting diodes. Each facet of the protuberance directs light from the light emitting diodes to an upper lens. Multiple ridges extend upwardly from the interior surface of the reflector at approximately forty-five degree angles with respect to the light emitting diodes for directing the light emitted from the light emitting diodes to the lens. The configuration of the reflector enables the use of fewer light emitting diodes.

Claims

1. A vehicle light assembly, comprising:

a plurality of light emitting diodes;

a reflector having apertures formed in a circumferential wall thereof configured to accept at least one light emitting diode therethrough in an orientation generally perpendicular to the circumferential wall, the reflector including multiple reflective ridges extending upwardly from an interior surface of the reflector, and a reflective protuberance extending upwardly from the interior surface of the reflector and centered with respect to the light emitting diodes; and

a lens disposed over the reflector for allowing light to pass therethrough.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the protuberance comprises a cone having multiple facets, each facet facing a respective light emitting diode for directing light from the light emitting diodes to the lens.

3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the facets of the cone are directed at an approximately forty-five degree angle with respect to the light emitting diode.

4. The assembly of claim 2, including a concave depression formed in each facet and generally aligned with the respective light emitting diode.

5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the multiple ridges extend upwardly from the interior surface of the reflector at approximately forty-five degree angles with respect to the light emitting diodes for directing the light emitted from the light emitting diodes to the lens.

6. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the multiple ridges comprise base ridges descending in stepped fashion from the apertures to the protuberance, and partition ridges being elevated with respect to the base ridges and descending in stepped fashion from the circumferential wall towards the protuberance.

7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein the base ridges include dimples formed therein for further dispersing the light.

8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the lens is transparent and the light emitting diodes emit red or amber light.

9. An automobile reflector assembly, comprising:

a reflector having a plurality of apertures formed in a circumferential wall thereof;

light emitting diodes extending through the apertures of the reflector so as to be oriented generally perpendicular to the circumferential wall; and

a lens disposed over the reflector and light emitting diodes;

wherein multiple ridges extend upwardly from an interior surface of the reflector at approximately forty-five degree angles with respect to the light emitting diodes for directing the light emitted from the light emitting diodes to the lens, the multiple ridges comprising base ridges descending in stepped fashion from the apertures to a central portion of the reflector, and partition ridges being elevated with respect to the base ridges and descending in stepped fashion from the circumferential wall towards the central portion of the reflector.

10. The assembly of claim 9, including a generally conical protuberance extending upwardly from an interior surface of the reflector and including multiple facets, each facet facing a respective light emitting diode for directing light from the light emitting diodes to the lens.

11. The assembly of claim 10, wherein the facets are directed at an approximately forty-five degree angle with respect to the light emitting diode.

12. The assembly of claim 10, including a concave depression formed in each facet and generally aligned with the respective light emitting diode.

13. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the base ridges include dimples formed therein for further dispersing the light.

14. An automobile reflector assembly, comprising:

a reflector having a plurality of apertures formed in a circumferential wall thereof;

light emitting diodes extending through the apertures of the reflector so as to be oriented generally perpendicular to the circumferential wall; and

a lens disposed over the reflector and light emitting diodes;

wherein a generally conical protuberance extends upwardly from an interior surface of the reflector and includes multiple facets, each facet facing a respective light emitting diode for directing light from the light emitting diodes to the lens.

15. The assembly of claim 14, wherein the facets of the cone are directed at an approximately forty-five degree angle with respect to the light emitting diode.

16. The assembly of claim 15, including a concave depression formed in each facet and generally aligned with the respective light emitting diode.

17. The assembly of claim 14, including multiple ridges extending upwardly from an interior surface of the reflector at approximately forty-five degree angles with respect to the light emitting diodes for directing the light emitted from the light emitting diodes to the lens.

18. The assembly of claim 17, wherein the multiple ridges comprise base ridges descending in stepped fashion from the aperture to the protuberance, and partition ridges being elevated with respect to the base ridges and descending in stepped fashion from the circumferential wall towards the protuberance.

19. The assembly of claim 18, wherein the base ridges include dimples formed therein for further dispersing the light.

20. An automobile reflector assembly, comprising:

a reflector having a plurality of apertures formed in a circumferential wall thereof;

light emitting diodes extending through the apertures of the reflector so as to be oriented generally perpendicular to the circumferential wall; and

a lens disposed over the reflector and light emitting diodes;

wherein multiple ridges extend upwardly from an interior surface of the reflector at approximately forty-five degree angles with respect to the light emitting diodes, and a generally conical protuberance extends upwardly from the interior surface of the reflector and includes multiple facets each facet facing a respective light emitting diode for directing light from the light emitting diodes to the lens.

21. The assembly of claim 20, wherein the facets are directed at an approximately forty-five degree angle with respect to the light emitting diode.

22. The assembly of claim 20, including a concave depression formed in each facet and generally aligned with the respective light emitting diode.

23. A vehicle light assembly, comprising:

a plurality of light emitting diodes; and

a reflector having a circumferential wall configured to accept at least one light emitting diode in an orientation generally perpendicular to the circumferential wall, the reflector including multiple reflective ridges extending upwardly from an interior surface of the reflector, and a reflective protuberance extending upwardly from the interior surface of the reflector and centered with respect to the light emitting diodes.

24. The assembly of claim 23, wherein the protuberance comprises a cone having multiple facets, each facet facing a respective light emitting diode.

25. The assembly of claim 24, wherein the facets of the cone are directed at an approximately forty-five degree angle with respect to the light emitting diode.

26. The assembly of claim 24, including a concave depression formed in each facet and generally aligned with the respective light emitting diode.

27. The assembly of claim 23, wherein the multiple ridges extend upwardly from the interior surface of the reflector at approximately forty-five degree angles with respect to the light emitting diodes.

28. The assembly of claim 24, wherein the multiple ridges comprise base ridges descending in stepped fashion from the apertures to the protuberance, and partition ridges being elevated with respect to the base ridges and descending in stepped fashion from the circumferential wall towards the protuberance.

29. The assembly of claim 28, wherein the base ridges include light-dispersing dimples formed therein.