Vehicle light

• US 8,256,943 B2
• Filed: 09/14/2009
• Issued: 09/04/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Stanley Electric Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Stanley Electric Company Limited
• Inventors: Nagafuchi, Daisuke, Sato, Koji
• Primary Examiner(s): LEE, Y MY QUACH
• Application Number:
  US12/558,675
• Publication Number:
  US 20100066249A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,086 Days
• Field of Search: 362/506, 362/507, 362/517, 362/518, 362/519, 362/520, 362/521, 362/522, 362/540, 362/543, 362/544, 362/545
• US Class Current: 362/545
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2607 comprising at least two indicating lamps
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2696 Mounting of devices using LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/14 Light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/30 characterised by reflectors

Abstract

A vehicle light can simultaneously form a light distribution pattern for a tail/stop lamp in one direction and another light distribution pattern for a side marker lamp in another direction without use of a dedicated light source(s). The vehicle light can include: a cover lens having a lens portion and a wraparound lens portion extending from the lens portion to the vehicle side face; a first LED light source configured to form first and second light distribution patterns; and a first reflector configured to reflect a first part of light from the first LED light source so as to form the second light distribution pattern. The first LED light source can be disposed so that a second part of the light from the first LED light source passes through the wraparound lens portion to form the first light distribution pattern. The first reflector can be disposed between the first LED light source and the wraparound lens portion so that the first reflector does not block the second part of the light.

Claims

1. A vehicle light for use in a vehicle having a side surface, the vehicle light comprising:

a cover lens having a lens portion and a wraparound lens portion extending from the lens portion, the wraparound lens portion configured to extend along the side surface of the vehicle when the vehicle light is mounted to the vehicle;

a first LED light source configured to form a first light distribution pattern and a second light distribution pattern;

a first reflector configured to reflect a first part of light from the first LED light source so that the first part of light passes through the lens portion to form the second light distribution pattern, the first reflector is disposed between the first LED light source and the wraparound lens portion;

at least one second LED light source that is disposed closer to a center of the vehicle in a width direction of the vehicle than the first LED light source when the vehicle light is mounted to the vehicle, and configured to form the second light distribution pattern; and

a second reflector configured to reflect light emitted from the second LED light source so as to allow the light to pass through the lens portion in order to form the second light distribution pattern,

wherein the first LED light source and the first reflector are disposed such that a second part of light from the first LED light source passes unaffected by the first reflector and directly passes through the wraparound lens portion to form the first light distribution pattern, and the first LED light source has an optical axis on which the first reflector is not disposed and which is located within the second part of light.

2. The vehicle light according to claim 1, wherein the first light distribution pattern is a light distribution pattern for a side marker lamp.

3. The vehicle light according to claim 2, wherein the first reflector is at least one of a multiple parabolic surface and a revolved parabolic surface having a focal point adjacent the first LED light source.

4. The vehicle light according to claim 3, further comprising:

a bracket having at least a first stepped surface disposed in an outermost position in the width direction of the vehicle and a second stepped surface adjacent the first stepped surface and nearer to the center of the vehicle in the width direction when the vehicle light is mounted to the vehicle, with the first LED light source being disposed at the first stepped surface and the second LED light source being disposed at the second stepped surface, and

wherein the first LED light source and the second LED light source each have a respective optical axis oriented in a same direction.

5. The vehicle light according to claim 4, further comprising:

a drive circuit configured to supply a current for forming the first and second light distribution patterns and an additional circuit configured to supply an additional current, and wherein;

the first LED light source includes a first plurality of LED light sources oriented along a first LED light source line, and the second LED light source includes a second plurality of LED light sources oriented along at least one second LED light source line;

the first plurality of LED light sources are connected to each other in parallel, and the second plurality of LED light sources are connected to each other in parallel;

the first LED light source line is connected to the second LED light source line in series;

each of the first plurality of LED light sources includes a respective cathode connected to ground and a respective anode connected to the additional circuit; and

each of the second plurality of LED light sources includes a respective anode connected to the drive circuit.

6. The vehicle light according to claim 3, further comprising:

a drive circuit configured to supply a current for forming the first and second light distribution patterns and an additional circuit configured to supply an additional current, and wherein;

the first LED light source includes a first plurality of LED light sources oriented along a first LED light source line, and the second LED light source includes a second plurality of LED light sources oriented along at least one second LED light source line;

the first plurality of LED light sources are connected to each other in parallel, and the second plurality of LED light sources are connected to each other in parallel;

the first LED light source line is connected to the second LED light source line in series;

each of the first plurality of LED light sources includes a respective cathode connected to ground and a respective anode connected to the additional circuit; and

each of the second plurality of LED light sources includes a respective anode connected to the drive circuit.

7. The vehicle light according to claim 2, further comprising:

a bracket having at least a first stepped surface disposed in an outermost position in the width direction of the vehicle and a second stepped surface adjacent the first stepped surface and nearer to the center of the vehicle in the width direction when the vehicle light is mounted to the vehicle, with the first LED light source being disposed at the first stepped surface and the second LED light source being disposed at the second stepped surface, and

wherein the first LED light source and the second LED light source each have a respective optical axis oriented in a same direction.

8. The vehicle light according to claim 7, further comprising:

a drive circuit configured to supply a current for forming the first and second light distribution patterns and an additional circuit configured to supply an additional current, and wherein;

the first LED light source includes a first plurality of LED light sources oriented along a first LED light source line, and the second LED light source includes a second plurality of LED light sources oriented along at least one second LED light source line;

the first plurality of LED light sources are connected to each other in parallel, and the second plurality of LED light sources are connected to each other in parallel;

the first LED light source line is connected to the second LED light source line in series;

each of the first plurality of LED light sources includes a respective cathode connected to ground and a respective anode connected to the additional circuit; and

each of the second plurality of LED light sources includes a respective anode connected to the drive circuit.

9. The vehicle light according to claim 2, wherein the wraparound lens portion comprises a lens cut portion configured such that the second part of the light from the first LED light source is diffused in other directions.

10. The vehicle light according to claim 1, wherein the first reflector is at least one of a multiple parabolic surface and a revolved parabolic surface having a focal point adjacent the first LED light source.

11. The vehicle light according to claim 10, further comprising:

a bracket having at least a first stepped surface disposed in an outermost position in the width direction of the vehicle and a second stepped surface adjacent the first stepped surface and nearer to the center of the vehicle in the width direction when the vehicle light is mounted to the vehicle, with the first LED light source being disposed at the first stepped surface and the second LED light source being disposed at the second stepped surface, and

wherein the first LED light source and the second LED light source each have a respective optical axis oriented in a same direction.

12. The vehicle light according to claim 11, further comprising:

a drive circuit configured to supply a current for forming the first and second light distribution patterns and an additional circuit configured to supply an additional current, and wherein;

the first LED light source includes a first plurality of LED light sources oriented along a first LED light source line, and the second LED light source includes a second plurality of LED light sources oriented along at least one second LED light source line;

the first plurality of LED light sources are connected to each other in parallel, and the second plurality of LED light sources are connected to each other in parallel;

the first LED light source line is connected to the second LED light source line in series;

each of the first plurality of LED light sources includes a respective cathode connected to ground and a respective anode connected to the additional circuit; and

each of the second plurality of LED light sources includes a respective anode connected to the drive circuit.

13. The vehicle light according to claim 10, further comprising:

a drive circuit configured to supply a current for forming the first and second light distribution patterns and an additional circuit configured to supply an additional current, and wherein;

the first LED light source includes a first plurality of LED light sources oriented along a first LED light source line, and the second LED light source includes a second plurality of LED light sources oriented along at least one second LED light source line;

the first plurality of LED light sources are connected to each other in parallel, and the second plurality of LED light sources are connected to each other in parallel;

the first LED light source line is connected to the second LED light source line in series

each of the first plurality of LED light sources includes a respective cathode connected to ground and a respective anode connected to the additional circuit; and

each of the second plurality of LED light sources includes a respective anode connected to the drive circuit.

14. The vehicle light according to claim 1, further comprising:

a bracket having at least a first stepped surface disposed in an outermost position in the width direction of the vehicle and a second stepped surface adjacent the first stepped surface and nearer to the center of the vehicle in the width direction when the vehicle light is mounted to the vehicle, with the first LED light source being disposed at the first stepped surface and the second LED light source being disposed at the second stepped surface, and

wherein the first LED light source and the second LED light source each have a respective optical axis oriented in a same direction.

15. The vehicle light according to claim 14, further comprising:

a drive circuit configured to supply a current for forming the first and second light distribution patterns and an additional circuit configured to supply an additional current, and wherein;

the first LED light source includes a first plurality of LED light sources oriented along a first LED light source line, and the second LED light source includes a second plurality of LED light sources oriented along at least one second LED light source line;

the first plurality of LED light sources are connected to each other in parallel, and the second plurality of LED light sources are connected to each other in parallel;

the first LED light source line is connected to the second LED light source line in series;

each of the first plurality of LED light sources includes a respective cathode connected to ground and a respective anode connected to the additional circuit; and

each of the second plurality of LED light sources includes a respective anode connected to the drive circuit.

16. The vehicle light according to claim 2, further comprising:

a drive circuit configured to supply a current for forming the first and second light distribution patterns and an additional circuit configured to supply an additional current, and wherein;

the first LED light source includes a first plurality of LED light sources oriented along a first LED light source line, and the second LED light source includes a second plurality of LED light sources oriented along at least one second LED light source line;

the first plurality of LED light sources are connected to each other in parallel, and the second plurality of LED light sources are connected to each other in parallel;

the first LED light source line is connected to the second LED light source line in series;

each of the first plurality of LED light sources includes a respective cathode connected to ground and a respective anode connected to the additional circuit; and

each of the second plurality of LED light sources includes a respective anode connected to the drive circuit.

17. The vehicle light according to claim 16, wherein the drive circuit and the additional circuit are mounted on a first substrate, and the first plurality of LED light sources and the second plurality of LED light sources are mounted on a second substrate.

18. The vehicle light according to claim 1, further comprising:

a drive circuit configured to supply a current for forming the first and second light distribution patterns and an additional circuit configured to supply an additional current, and wherein;

the first LED light source includes a first plurality of LED light sources oriented along a first LED light source line, and the second LED light source includes a second plurality of LED light sources oriented along at least one second LED light source line;

the first plurality of LED light sources are connected to each other in parallel, and the second plurality of LED light sources are connected to each other in parallel;

the first LED light source line is connected to the second LED light source line in series;

each of the first plurality of LED light sources includes a respective cathode connected to ground and a respective anode connected to the additional circuit; and

each of the second plurality of LED light sources includes a respective anode connected to the drive circuit.

19. The vehicle light according to claim 18, wherein:

the second plurality of LED light sources includes a first subset of LED light sources and a second subset of LED light sources;

the first subset of LED light sources are oriented along the second LED light source line and the second subset of LED light sources are oriented along a third LED light source line; and

the second LED light source line is connected in series with the third LED light source line.

20. A vehicle light for use in a vehicle having a side surface, the vehicle light comprising:

a cover lens having a lens portion and a wraparound lens portion extending from the lens portion, the wraparound lens portion configured to extend along the side surface of the vehicle when the vehicle light is mounted to the vehicle;

a first LED light source configured to form a first light distribution pattern and a second light distribution pattern; and

a first reflector configured to reflect a first part of light from the first LED light source so that the first part of light passes through the lens portion to form the second light distribution pattern, the first reflector is disposed between the first LED light source and the wraparound lens portion,

wherein the first LED light source and the first reflector are disposed such that a second part of light from the first LED light source passes unaffected by the first reflector and passes through the wraparound lens portion to form the first light distribution pattern;

wherein the first light distribution pattern is a light distribution pattern for a side marker lamp; and

wherein the first reflector is a multiple parabolic surface having a focal point adjacent the first LED light source, and includes a plurality of revolved parabolic surfaces having different F values, the revolved parabolic surfaces being cut and connected to form a stepped surface as a whole.

21. A vehicle light for use in a vehicle having a side surface, the vehicle light comprising:

a cover lens having a lens portion and a wraparound lens portion extending from the lens portion, the wraparound lens portion configured to extend along the side surface of the vehicle when the vehicle light is mounted to the vehicle;

a first LED light source having an optical axis that is configured to form a first light distribution pattern and a second light distribution pattern; and

a first reflector having a longitudinal axis and having at least a portion of the reflector configured to reflect a first part of light from the first LED light source so that the first part of light passes through the lens portion to form the second light distribution pattern, the first reflector is disposed between the first LED light source and the wraparound lens portion,

wherein the first LED light source and the first reflector are disposed such that a second part of light from the first LED light source passes unaffected by the first reflector and passes through the wraparound lens portion to form the first light distribution pattern; and

wherein the optical axis of the LED intersects the longitudinal axis of the portion of the first reflector forming the second light distribution pattern at a point in front of the LED.