Lens assembly for an automobile light assembly having LED light source

• US 7,465,075 B2
• Filed: 03/21/2005
• Issued: 12/16/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• 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.
• Primary Examiner(s): Alavi; Ali
• Assistant Examiner(s): DZIERZYNSKI, EVAN P
• Application Number:
  US11/085,294
• Publication Number:
  US 20060209558A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,366 Days
• Field of Search: 362/545, 362/336, 362/334, 362/335, 362/520, 362/509, 362/293, 359/708, 359/711, 359/712, 359/719, 359/819
• US Class Current: 362/336
• 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 having a cover lens;

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

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

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

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 Fresnel 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 first lens member is not a component of the LED light source.

13. 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 having a cover lens;

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 defining an axial end surface and an outer radial surface, the second lens member having an interior passageway extending through the axial end surface of the second lens member, the interior passageway receiving the first lens member,

the outer radial 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.

14. The light assembly of claim 13, wherein the interior passageway defines an interior surface, and wherein the interior surface is structured to refract light from the first lens member.

15. The light assembly of claim 13, wherein the interior surface is flat in the axial direction.

16. The light assembly of claim 13, wherein the interior passageway defines an interior surface, and wherein the interior surface is structured 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.

17. The light assembly of claim 13, wherein the interior passageway narrows in the downstream direction.

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 defining the recess, the radial portion being angled relative to the axial portion, the axial portion refracting light passing therethrough;

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 reflecting 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.

21. The light assembly of claim 18, 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.

22. The light assembly of claim 18, wherein the axial portion of the first lens member includes beam focusing optics.

23. The light assembly of claim 18, wherein an inner axial surface of the axial portion meets an inner radial surface of the radial portion along an annular line.

24. The light assembly of claim 18, wherein the second member does not receive light passing through the axial portion of the first lens member.