Dual filament static bending lamp

• US 6,955,439 B2
• Filed: 02/21/2003
• Issued: 10/18/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: Guide Corporation (Vehicle Lighting Incorporated)
• Inventors: Reismiller, Phillip A., Collins, Tony E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ward, John Anthony
• Assistant Examiner(s): Truong, Bao Q.
• Application Number:
  US10/372,590
• Publication Number:
  US 20040165373A1
• Time in Patent Office: 970 Days
• Field of Search: 362/362, 362/212, 362 39- 43, 362/45, 362/48, 362/464, 362/465, 362/211, 362/213, 362/544, 362/276, 362/36, 315/81, 340/465, 340/426.31
• US Class Current: 362/36
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/12 due to steering position
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/18 being additional front lights bracket mounted headlights B60Q1/0483
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/112 Vehicle speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/122 Steering angle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/128 Steering dead zone
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/14 characterised by the type of light source
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/33 Multi-surface reflectors, e.g. reflectors with facets or reflectors with portions of different curvature

Abstract

The present invention comprises a bending lamp apparatus and method of use. A first filament is energized as a vehicle begins to turn so as to provide illumination in the direction of the turn. As the turn becomes more severe, a second filament is energized such that an additional area is illuminated in the direction of the turn.

Claims

1. An automotive lamp fixture comprising:

a. at least one reflector;

b. a first filament positioned within the at least one reflector, said reflector configured such that when a turn in a first direction is sensed, and the first filament is energized, a first area is illuminated by light reflected by said at least one reflector; and

c. a second filament positioned within the same at least one reflector as the first filament, said at least one reflector also configured, such that when a more severe turn in the first direction is sensed and the second filament is energized, a second area horizontally adjacent to the first area is illuminated.

2. The lamp fixture of claim 1, wherein the first filament is positioned to produce light along a first optical axis and the second filament is positioned to produce light along a second optical axis which is horizontally disposed to the first optical axis.

3. The lamp fixture of claim 2, wherein the at least one reflector comprises a reflector having a first prescription and a second prescription, the first prescription defining the first optical axis and the second prescription defining the second optical axis.

4. The lamp fixture of claim 2, further comprising at least one lens covering both the first filament and the second filament.

5. The lamp fixture of claim 4, wherein the at least one lens comprises a lens having a first prescription and a second prescription, the first prescription defining the first optical axis and the second prescription defining the second optical axis.

6. The lamp fixture of claim 1, wherein the lamp fixture comprises a dedicated lamp fixture positioned on an automobile to provide bending light for turning corners.

7. An automotive light fixture dedicated to provide bending light for an automobile, the light fixture comprising:

a. a first filament positioned within a reflector and illuminated in response to the commencement of a turn in a first direction; and

b. a second filament positioned horizontally offset from the first filament within the same reflector and illuminated in response to the commencement of a more severe turn in the same first direction, the first filament arranged and positioned within the reflector to illuminate a first area, and the second filament arranged and positioned within the reflector to illuminate a second area horizontally disposed to the first area.

8. The fixture of claim 7, wherein the reflector comprises a reflector having a first prescription and a second prescription, the first prescription defining a first optical axis and the second prescription defining a second optical axis.

9. The fixture of claim 8, wherein the first filament is located within the reflector so as to provide illumination substantially along the first optical axis, and the second filament is located within the reflector so as to provide illumination substantially along the second optical axis.

10. The light fixture of claim 7, further comprising a lens that covers both the first and second filaments.

11. The light fixture of claim 10, wherein the lens is configured to have a first prescription and a second prescription, the first prescription defining a first optical axis and the second prescription defining a second optical axis.

12. The light fixture of claim 11, wherein the first filament is located so as to provide illumination substantially along the first optical axis, and the second filament is located so as to provide illumination substantially along the second optical axis.

13. A method for providing bending light for a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:

a. providing a vehicle lamp fixture with at least one first light source positioned within a reflector on a first optical axis and at least one second light source positioned within the same reflector on a second optical axis, the second optical axis being horizontally disposed in respect to the first optical axis;

b. energizing the first light source in response to a sensed turn condition in a first direction, so that the first light source projects the light along the first optical axis and illuminates a first area around the first optical axis; and

c. energizing the second light source in response to a more severe turn condition in the same first direction, so that the second light source projects the light along the second optical axis and illuminates a second area around the second optical axis that is substantially horizontally adjacent to the first area.