Small light-source module and light-source unit

• US 6,474,852 B1
• Filed: 09/01/2000
• Issued: 11/05/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ichikoh Industries Limited (Valeo SE)
• Original Assignee: Ichikoh Industries Limited (Valeo SE)
• Inventors: Murahashi, Katsuhiro, Tsunoda, Kouji, Ohkohdo, Masaya
• Primary Examiner(s): Husar, Stephen
• Assistant Examiner(s): Zeade, Bertrand
• Application Number:
  US09/653,897
• Time in Patent Office: 795 Days
• Field of Search: 362/308, 362/347, 362/350, 362/517, 362/518, 362/522, 362/245, 362/327, 362/237, 362/238, 362/241, 362/243, 362/247, 362/297, 362/346, 362/301, 362/302, 362/800
• US Class Current: 362/487
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/0008 providing for indirect lighting

Abstract

A small light-source module has a module body having a small single-point light source with a limited light-emitting angle mounted thereto, and a reflective surface provided on the module body. The light axis of the light source tilted with respect to the reflective surface, so as to create a substantially fan-shape projected light region on the reflective surface. The outer contour of the reflective surface is also substantially fan-shaped, and the reflective surface has a reflective pattern for reflecting light emitted form the small single-point light source as parallel light.

Claims

1. A light source unit comprising a set of arranged small light-source modules, wherein a respective light-source module comprises:

a point light source having a defined light emission angle range about an optical axis thereof; and

a module body having a reflective surface formed thereon with a reflection pattern for reflecting light received from the point light source to project parallel light, wherein;

the point light source is mounted to the module body with the optical axis tilted to the reflective surface, to have a light irradiation region substantially fan-shaped on the reflective surface; and

the reflective surface has a contour substantially fan-shaped in correspondence to the light irradiation region.

2. A light source unit according to claim 1, wherein

the point light source and the reflective pattern are disposed at an identical side of the module body.

3. A light source unit according to claim 1, wherein

the module body is transparent, and

the point light source and the reflective surface are disposed at opposite sides of the module body.

4. A light source unit according to claim 3, wherein the module body has

an array of lens elements formed on an opposite side thereof to the reflective surface.

5. A light source unit according to claim 1, wherein

the reflective surface is concave with respect to the point light source, and is formed with the reflective pattern comprised of a multiple-step parabolic surface.

6. A light source unit according to claim 1, comprising:

a housing configured in a round form; and

the set of small light-source modules radially arranged in the housing, with the respective light-source module having a narrowed end thereof provided with the point light source and directed to a center of the housing, and an opposite broadened end thereof directed to an outer periphery of the housing.

7. A light source unit according to claim 1, comprising:

a housing configured in a round form; and

the set of small light-source modules radially arranged in the housing, with the respective light-source module having a narrowed end thereof provided with the point light source and directed to an outer periphery of the housing, and an opposite broadened end thereof directed to a center of the housing.

8. A light source unit according to claim 1, comprising:

a housing; and

the set of small light-source modules being linearly arrayed in the housing, with the respective light-source module having a narrowed end thereof provided with the point light source and oriented in an identical sense to a narrowed end of a neighboring light-source module.

9. A light source unit according to claim 1, comprising:

a housing; and

the set of small light-source modules being linearly arrayed in the housing, with the respective light-source module having a narrowed end thereof provided with the light source and oriented in an identical sense to a broadened end of a neighboring light-source module.

10. A small light-source module, comprising:

a point light source having a defined light emission angle range about an optical axis thereof; and

a module body having a reflective surface formed thereon with a reflection pattern for reflecting light received from the point light source to project parallel light,

wherein the point light source is mounted to the module body, with the optical axis tilted to the reflective surface, to have a light irradiation region substantially fan-shaped on the reflective surface, and

the reflective surface has a contour substantially fan-shaped in correspondence to the light irradiation region.

11. A small light-source module according to claim 10, wherein the point light source and the reflective pattern are disposed at an identical side of the module body.

12. A small light-source module according to claim 10, wherein

the module body is transparent, and

the point light source and the reflective surface are disposed at opposite sides of the module body.

13. A small light-source module according to claim 12, wherein the module body has an array of lens elements formed on an opposite side thereof to the reflective surface.

14. A small light-source module according to claim 10, wherein the reflective surface is concave with respect to the point light source, and formed with the reflective pattern comprised of a multiple-step parabolic surface.