Light emitting diode module for automotive headlamp

• US 20060087861A1
• Filed: 05/03/2005
• Published: 04/27/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: OSRAM Sylvania Inc. (Ams-Osram AG)
• Original Assignee: OSRAM Sylvania Inc. (Ams-Osram AG)
• Inventors: Tucker, Michael, Tessnow, Thomas, Johnson, Ralph, Sidwell, Steven
• Granted Patent: US 7,618,171 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/538
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/143 the main emission direction of the LED being parallel to the optical axis of the illuminating device
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/153 arranged in a matrix
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/155 Surface emitters, e.g. organic light emitting diodes [OLED]
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/24 Light guides
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0073 Light emitting diode [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4298 coupling with non-coherent light sources and/or radiation detectors, e.g. lamps, incandescent bulbs, scintillation chambers

Abstract

A light gathering module (10) has a body (12) with a first end (14) comprising a single light transmitting surface (16) and a second end (18) having a plurality of arms (20), each arm (20) having an independent light gathering terminus (22) that is rectangular. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first end (14) of the body also is rectangular. The light gathering module (10) can be fabricated from acrylic, plastic, glass or other suitable material and preferably has no cladding so that light output I maximized. When combined in a housing (32) with a projector lens (34) the light gathering module (10) provides a vehicle headlamp (30).

Claims

1. A light gathering module comprising:

a unitary body with a first end comprising a single light transmitting surface; and

a second end comprising a plurality of arms, each arm having an independent light gathering terminus that is rectangular.

2. The light gathering module of claim 1 wherein said first end of said body is rectangular.

3. The light gathering module of claim 2 wherein a plurality of light emitting diodes is associated with each termini.

4. An automotive headlamp comprising.

a housing;

a lens in a front portion of said housing;

a light gathering module positioned in said housing, comprising;

a body with a first end comprising a single light transmitting surface; and

a second end comprising a plurality of arms, each arm having an independent light gathering terminus that is rectangular, said first end being operatively associated with said lens.

5. The automotive headlamp of claim 4 wherein said first end of said body is rectangular.

6. The automotive headlamp of claim 5 wherein a plurality of light emitting diodes is associated with each terminus.

7. The automotive headlamp of claim 5 wherein said lens is a projection lens.

8. The automotive headlamp of claim 7 wherein said light emitting diodes are mounted in housings and said housings are mounted upon a heat sink.