Indicator apparatus and method for a vehicle using side-emitting light-emitting diode
First Claim
1. A vehicle indicator mountable on a generally vertical part of a vehicle, comprising:
- a side-emitting first light-emitting diode that emits light predominantly in a plane, said plane being generally vertical with respect to the vehicle;
at least one first reflector next to said side-emitting first light-emitting diode and within said generally vertical plane to reflect light emanating from said side-emitting first light-emitting diode when illuminated, said at least one first reflector including a generally spherically shaped reflective portion; and
at least one second reflector located across said side-emitting first light-emitting diode from said at least one first reflector, said at least one second reflector being multifaceted and curved in a stepped-bowl shape.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An indicator is provided that utilizes a side-emitting light-emitting diode to indicate the state of a vehicle. An example vehicle indicator is an automobile turn indicator. Other embodiments and features further provide for a conventional light-emitting diode additionally mounted to the vehicle indicator. Certain embodiments provide a cover that protects the vehicle indicator from damage and influences the pattern and/or frequency of light emanating from the vehicle indicator. Yet other embodiments provide a circuit board for converting power from the vehicle'"'"'s power source to the particular power requirements, a timing mechanism for controlling illumination, and a heat dissipating apparatus for controlling the temperature of the side-emitting light-emitting diode. Still other embodiments provide an indicator that directs light toward the vehicle operator.
44 Citations
35 Claims
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1. A vehicle indicator mountable on a generally vertical part of a vehicle, comprising:
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a side-emitting first light-emitting diode that emits light predominantly in a plane, said plane being generally vertical with respect to the vehicle; at least one first reflector next to said side-emitting first light-emitting diode and within said generally vertical plane to reflect light emanating from said side-emitting first light-emitting diode when illuminated, said at least one first reflector including a generally spherically shaped reflective portion; and at least one second reflector located across said side-emitting first light-emitting diode from said at least one first reflector, said at least one second reflector being multifaceted and curved in a stepped-bowl shape. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A vehicle indicator mountable on a generally vertical part of a vehicle, comprising:
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a side-emitting first light-emitting diode that emits light predominantly in a plane, said plane being generally vertical with respect to the vehicle; and means for directing light from said side-emitting first light-emitting diode when illuminated, said means for directing light including a generally spherical reflector located beside said side-emitting first light-emitting diode and a curved multifaceted reflector located across said side-emitting first light-emitting diode from said generally spherical reflector. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A vehicle indicator mountable on a generally vertical part of a vehicle, comprising:
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a first side-emitting first light-emitting diode; a first reflector segment located beside said first light-emitting diode, said first reflector segment being generally spherical in shape; and a second reflector segment located across said first side-emitting first light-emitting diode from said first reflector segment, said second reflector segment being curved in shape and having a central axis of the curve that is generally horizontal and oriented parallel to the forward direction of the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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Specification