LED lighting system for vehicle

• US 9,964,279 B2
• Filed: 07/14/2014
• Issued: 05/08/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/2013
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hella Gmbh & Co. Kgaa (Forvia SE)
• Original Assignee: Hella KGaA Hueck & Company
• Inventors: Biernatowski, Artur
• Primary Examiner(s): Negron, Ismael
• Application Number:
  US14/904,646
• Publication Number:
  US 20160169470A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,394 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2607 comprising at least two indicating lamps
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2623 Details of the fastening means
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2626 Screw-nut fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/3015 combined with a lamp
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/34 for indicating change of drive direction B60Q1/22 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/44 for indicating braking action or preparation for braking, e.g. by detection of the foot approaching the brake pedal
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2800/20 Utility vehicles, e.g. for agriculture, construction work
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/14 Light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/31 Optical layout thereof
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 45/10 Protection of lighting devices cooling of lighting devices F21S45/40; waterproofing of lighting devices F21S45/50
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 45/50 Waterproofing

Abstract

A system includes a housing, at least two lighting units, a lens, at least two fastening elements, and a protective optical element which covers the fastening elements of the lighting system. The lens and the housing are provided with at least two corresponding openings provided in a central area and configured to allow the positioning of the fastening elements. The lens has a frontal surface, comprising a central recessed area. Tubular elements oriented inwards to the lighting system extend and fit into the corresponding holes, when assembling the lens and the housing.

Claims

1. A lighting system for a vehicle, the system comprising:

a housing including at least two holes in a central area;

at least two lighting units received in the housing, each unit including at least one light emitting diode mounted on printed circuit board, said lighting units electrically interconnected with each other and configured to be connected with an electrical system of the vehicle;

a lens including at least two orifices in a central area;

at least two fastening elements; and

a protective optical element;

wherein the orifices of said lens correspond to the holes of said housing, such that the fastening elements pass through both the orifices and holes to couple said lens to said housing to cover the lighting units, said protective optical element coupled to said lens to cover said fastening elements, and

wherein each orifice formed in a tubular element projecting from the lens, and the housing has raised areas protruding around said holes into which said tubular elements are fitted, for reinforcing each of said holes.

2. The compact lighting system according to claim 1, wherein the housing is provided with a continuous reinforcing rib around said holes, and two separation ribs located on the longitudinal axis of the lighting system on both sides of said reinforcing rib, wherein the reinforcing rib cooperates with said separation ribs to divide an interior of the system into two closed spaces, symmetrical about the longitudinal axis of the compact lighting system,

wherein one of said lighting units is positioned in each of the closed spaces, with

said ribs configured to prevent light from each lighting unit from passing from one closed space to another.

3. The compact lighting system according to claim 1, wherein said lens, said housing, said front surface of the lens, said recessed portion of said lens, and said optical element are rectangular shaped.

4. The compact lighting system according to claim 1, wherein said protective optical element is a retro-reflector.

5. The compact lighting system according to claim 1, wherein the protective optical element is made of the same material as said lens and has the same optical properties as said lens.

6. The compact lighting system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a recessed portion formed on the front surface of the lens in the central area, said at least two orifices formed in the recessed portion,

one or more tubular elements formed on a back surface of the lens and extending towards the lighting system, said tubular elements configured to fit into the holes when said lens and housing are assembled,

wherein said tubular elements have an inner surface shaped to correspond to that of said fastening elements so that the fastening elements fit within the tubular elements without extending beyond the front surface of said recessed portion of said lens.

7. The compact lighting system according to claim 6, wherein the protective optical element is shaped and dimensioned to fit said recessed portion of said lens, so that said optical element covers entirely the recessed portion when mounted on the top of the recessed portion.

8. The compact lighting system according to claim 7 wherein the protective optical element is bonded to the recessed portion of said lens, over said fastening elements, and such that the front surface of said optical element is flush with the front surface of said lens.

9. A lighting system for a vehicle, the system comprising:

a housing including at least two holes in a central area;

at least two lighting units received in the housing, each unit including at least one light emitting diode mounted on printed circuit board,

said lighting units electrically interconnected with each other and

configured to be connected with an electrical system of the vehicle;

a lens including at least two orifices in a central area;

at least two fastening elements; and

a protective optical element;

wherein the orifices of said lens correspond to the holes of said housing, such that the fastening elements pass through both the orifices and holes to couple said lens to said housing to cover the lighting units, said protective optical element coupled to said lens to cover said fastening elements,

wherein the housing is provided with a continuous reinforcing rib around said holes, and two separation ribs located on the longitudinal axis of the lighting system on both sides of said reinforcing rib, wherein the reinforcing rib cooperates with said separation ribs to divide an interior of the system into two closed spaces, symmetrical about the longitudinal axis of the compact lighting system,

wherein one of said lighting units is positioned in each of the closed spaces, with said ribs configured to prevent light from each lighting unit from passing from one closed space to another.

10. A lighting system for a vehicle, the system comprising:

a housing including at least two holes in a central area;

at least two lighting units received in the housing, each unit including at least one light emitting diode mounted on printed circuit board, said lighting units electrically interconnected with each other and configured to be connected with an electrical system of the vehicle;

a lens including at least two orifices in a central recessed portion of a front surface of the lens;

at least two fastening elements; and

a protective optical element;

wherein the orifices of said lens correspond to the holes of said housing, such that the fastening elements pass through both the orifices and holes to couple said lens to said housing to cover the lighting units, said protective optical element coupled to said lens to cover said fastening elements,

wherein said lens, said housing, said front surface of the lens, said recessed-portion of said lens, and said protective optical element are rectangular shaped.

11. A lighting system for a vehicle, the system comprising:

a housing including at least two holes in a central area;

at least two lighting units received in the housing, each unit including at least one light emitting diode mounted on printed circuit board, said lighting units electrically interconnected with each other and configured to be connected with an electrical system of the vehicle;

a lens including at least two orifices in a central area;

at least two fastening elements; and

a protective optical element;

wherein the orifices of said lens correspond to the holes of said housing, such that the fastening elements pass through both the orifices and holes to couple said lens to said housing to cover the lighting units, said protective optical element coupled to said lens to cover said fastening elements, and

wherein said protective optical element is a retro-reflector.

12. A lighting system for a vehicle, the system comprising:

a housing including at least two holes in a central area;

at least two lighting units received in the housing, each unit including at least one light emitting diode mounted on printed circuit board, said lighting units electrically interconnected with each other and configured to be connected with an electrical system of the vehicle;

a lens including at least two orifices in a central area;

at least two fastening elements; and

a protective optical element;

a recessed portion formed on the front surface of the lens in the central area, said at least two orifices formed in the recessed portion;

one or more tubular elements formed on a back surface of the lens and extending towards the lighting system, said tubular elements configured to fit into the holes when said lens and housing are assembled;

wherein the orifices of said lens correspond to the holes of said housing, such that the fastening elements pass through both the orifices and holes to couple said lens to said housing to cover the lighting units, said protective optical element coupled to said lens to cover said fastening elements,

wherein said tubular elements have an inner surface shaped to correspond to that of said fastening elements so that the fastening elements fit within the tubular elements without extending beyond the front surface of said recessed portion of said lens,

wherein the protective optical element is shaped and dimensioned to fit said recessed portion of said lens, so that said protective optical element covers entirely the recessed portion when mounted on the top of the recessed portion, and

wherein the protective optical element is bonded to the recessed portion of said lens, over said fastening elements, and such that the front surface of said protective optical element is flush with the front surface of said lens.