Lens assembly for an automobile light assembly having LED light source

• US 20060209558A1
• Filed: 03/21/2005
• Published: 09/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Varroc Lighting Systems S.R.O. (Varroc Engineering Limited)
• Original Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies Incorporated (Visteon Corporation)
• Inventors: Li, John, Erion, Jeffrey Allen, Chinniah, Jeyachandrabose, Eichelberger, Chris L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,465,075 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/545
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/14 Light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/26 Refractors, transparent cover plates, light guides or filters not provided in groups F21S43/235 - F21S43/255

Abstract

A light assembly is provided having a lens assembly that splits the function of a near field lens into two components, thereby permitting a manufacturable lens that achieves the desired beam size and intensity. At the same time, increased flexibility and control over the beam spread characteristics is achieved. The first component is an inner lens, while the second component may be a reflector or a second lens.

Claims

1. A light assembly for an automotive lighting application, the light assembly directing light along a longitudinal axis, the light assembly comprising:

a LED light source;

a first lens member having a recess receiving the LED light source, the first lens member including a radial portion and an axial portion;

a second member having an interior space receiving the first lens member, the second member defining a reflecting surface; and

the reflecting surface of the second member receiving light passing through the radial portion of the first lens member and directing the light downstream along the longitudinal axis.

2. The light assembly of claim 1, wherein the axial portion of the first lens member includes beam focusing optics.

3. The light assembly of claim 2, wherein the axial portion defines an inner axial surface, and wherein the inner axial surface is structured as a Frensel lens.

4. The light assembly of claim 2, the axial portion defines an inner axial surface and an outer axial surface, and wherein one of the inner and outer axial surfaces is curved to focus the light.

5. The light assembly of claim 1, wherein the axial portion of the first lens member includes beam spreading optics.

6. The light assembly of claim 5, wherein the axial portion of the first lens member defines an outer axial surface, and wherein the outer axial surface includes a plurality of pillows.

7. The light assembly of claim 1, wherein the radial portion defines an inner radial surface and an outer radial surface, and wherein the inner radial surface is flat in the axial direction.

8. The light assembly of claim 1, wherein the radial portion defines an inner radial surface and an outer radial surface, and wherein the inner radial surface is positioned to refract light passing therethrough.

9. The light assembly of claim 1, wherein the radial portion defines an inner radial surface and an outer radial surface, and wherein the outer radial surface is curved.

10. The light assembly of claim 9, wherein the curvature of the outer radial surface is structured to permit light to pass directly through the outer radial surface with minimal refraction.

11. The light assembly of claim 1, wherein the radial portion defines an inner radial surface and an outer radial surface, and wherein the inner and outer radial surfaces are both curved.

12. The light assembly of claim 1, wherein the second member is a reflector having a bowl shape defining an interior surface forming the reflecting surface.

13. The light assembly of claim 1, wherein the second member is a lens having an outer surface forming the reflecting surface.

14. A light assembly for an automotive lighting application, the light assembly directing light along a longitudinal axis, the light assembly comprising:

a LED light source;

a first lens member having a recess receiving the LED light source, the first lens member including a radial portion and an axial portion;

a second lens member having an interior passageway extending through the second lens member, the interior passageway receiving the first lens member,

the outer surface of the second member structured and positioned relative to the first lens member to receive light passing through the radial portion of the first lens member and direct the light downstream along the longitudinal axis.

15. The light assembly of claim 14, wherein the interior passageway defines an interior surface, and wherein the interior surface is structured to refract light from the first lens member.

16. The light assembly of claim 14, wherein the interior surface is flat in the axial direction.

17. The light assembly of claim 14, wherein the interior passageway defines an interior surface, and wherein the interior surface is structure to match an exterior radial surface of the radial portion of the first lens member, whereby light passes directly through the interior surface with minimal refraction.

18. A lens assembly for a LED light source, the lens assembly comprising:

a first lens member having a recess receiving the LED light source, the first lens member including a radial portion and an axial portion;

a second member having an interior space receiving the first lens member, the second member defining a reflecting surface; and

the reflecting surface of the second member receiving light passing through the radial portion of the first lens member and directing the light downstream along the longitudinal axis.

19. The light assembly of claim 18, wherein the second member is a reflector having a bowl shape defining an interior surface forming the reflecting surface.

20. The light assembly of claim 18, wherein the second member is a lens having an outer surface forming the reflecting surface.