Marker lamp for a vehicle

• US 20030112634A1
• Filed: 12/18/2002
• Published: 06/19/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Company Limited
• Inventors: Aihara, Hideyuki, Mohri, Fumihiko, Nishitani, Norihiro, Fujinami, Hiroki
• Granted Patent: US 6,824,299 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/487
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0052 concentric
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2607 comprising at least two indicating lamps
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/14 Light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/255 Filters
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/30 characterised by reflectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2113/00 Combination of light sources

Abstract

A marker lamp for a vehicle that has a tail lamp function and a stop lamp function including a bulb, light-emitting diodes and a reflector which are disposed in a lamp chamber defined by a lamp body and a front cover that covers the front portion of the lamp body. The bulb is positioned at the center of the reflector, the reflector is formed with a plurality of openings around the bulb and a primary reflective surface that reflects the light from the bulb substantially forward, and the light-emitting diodes are disposed so as to surround the bulb and face the front cover through the openings formed in the reflector. The tail lamp function is executed by lighting the bulb, and the stop lamp function is executed by lighting the light-emitting diodes.

Claims

1. A marker lamp for a vehicle having a tail lamp function and a stop lamp function, the tail lamp function allowing a rear of a vehicle to be recognized while driving in the dark, and the stop lamp function allowing braking of the vehicle to be recognized while braking, wherein

the marker lamp is comprised of a bulb, a plurality of light-emitting diodes, and a reflector which are provided in a lamp chamber defined by a lamp body and a front cover that covers the lamp body, and wherein

the bulb is disposed at substantially a center of the reflector,

the reflector is provided with a primary reflective surface and a plurality of openings, the primary reflective surface reflecting light from the bulb toward the front cover,

the light-emitting diodes are disposed so as to face the front cover through the openings, and

the tail lamp function is executed by lighting the bulb, and the stop lamp function is executed by lighting the light-emitting diodes.

2. The marker lamp for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the openings are disposed annularly around the bulb.

3. The marker lamp for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein

the openings are formed as openings of recess portion provided in the reflector so as to project oppositely from the front cover, and

inner surfaces of the recess portions are formed as reflective surfaces that reflect light from the light-emitting diodes toward the front cover.

4. The marker lamp for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein

the front cover has a plain translucent portion which is transparent and colorless without a lens element formed thereon, and

the light-emitting diodes are disposed so as to be visible through the translucent portion of the front cover.

5. The marker lamp for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the bulb is covered by a red cap.

6. The marker lamp for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the bulb is a red glass bulb.

7. The marker lamp for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein

the primary reflective surface of the reflector is a step reflector formed with a plurality of segmented reflective elements, and

the reflective elements are formed so as to extend radially from a position where the bulb is disposed.

8. The marker lamp for a vehicle according to claim 2, wherein

the openings are formed as openings of recess portion provided in the reflector so as to project oppositely from the front cover, and

inner surfaces of the recess portions are formed as reflective surfaces that reflect light from the light-emitting diodes toward the front cover.

9. The marker lamp for a vehicle according to claim 8, wherein

the primary reflective surface of the reflector is a step reflector formed with a plurality of segmented reflective elements, and

the reflective elements are formed so as to extend radially from a position where the bulb is disposed.

10. The marker lamp for a vehicle according to claim 9, wherein

the front cover has a plain translucent portion which is transparent and colorless without a lens element formed thereon, and

the light-emitting diodes are disposed so as to be visible through the translucent portion of the front cover.

11. The marker lamp for a vehicle according to claim 10, wherein the bulb is covered by a red cap.

12. The marker lamp for a vehicle according to claim 6, wherein the bulb is a red glass bulb.

13. The marker lamp for a vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the bulb is covered by a red cap.

14. The marker lamp for a vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the bulb is a red glass bulb.