Patent Grant
11079098
The subject disclosure relates to a light assembly, and more particularly, to a light assembly having a water vapor removal system.
Light assemblies typically include a substantially closed housing that defines a chamber. A light source in the chamber is adapted to direct light through a lens of the housing. Unfortunately, moisture may permeate through the housing, or otherwise gain access therein, and then condense and form water droplets on the inner surfaces of the light assembly. This condensation is visually displeasing, and the condensation, or the moisture itself, may degrade operation of light sources, instrumentation, and other components in the chamber.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an efficient means to remove moisture contained inside a light assembly.
A light assembly according to one, non-limiting, embodiment of the present disclosure includes a substantially closed housing, a light source, and a thermoelectric device. The substantially closed housing defines a chamber, and includes a lens. The light source is adapted to direct light from the chamber and through the lens. The thermoelectric device includes a cold side and a hot side. The cold side is adapted to form condensation from moisture in the chamber.
Additionally to the foregoing embodiment, the light assembly includes a moisture expulsion device. The moisture expulsion device includes first and second segments. The first segment is in contact with the hot side, and is adapted to receive thermal heat from the hot side. The second segment is in contact with the first segment, and is exposed to an external environment for dissipation of moisture. The second segment is adapted to receive thermal heat from the first segment and condensate from the cold side.
In the alternative or additionally thereto, in the foregoing embodiment, the segment includes a porous material adapted to entrain the condensate.
In the alternative or additionally thereto, in the foregoing embodiment, the thermoelectric device is disposed substantially above the moisture expulsion device.
In the alternative or additionally thereto, in the foregoing embodiment, the light assembly includes a trough disposed beneath the cold side for receipt of the condensate, wherein the trough includes at least one hole orientated to direct condensate flow from the trough and into the second segment.
In the alternative or additionally thereto, in the foregoing embodiment, the trough includes a bottom and opposite first and second sides projecting upward from the bottom, and the at least one hole communicates through the bottom.
In the alternative or additionally thereto, in the foregoing embodiment, the cold side is carried by a plurality of fins.
In the alternative or additionally thereto, in the foregoing embodiment, the light assembly includes a frame engaged to the housing and extending about an opening in the housing, and engaged to and extending about the moisture expulsion device.
In the alternative or additionally thereto, in the foregoing embodiment, an expulsion cavity is defined by the frame and the second segment.
In the alternative or additionally thereto, in the foregoing embodiment, the light assembly includes a vent disposed over the opening.
In the alternative or additionally thereto, in the foregoing embodiment, the vent is a vapor diffuser.
In the alternative or additionally thereto, in the foregoing embodiment, the housing is made of plastic.
In the alternative or additionally thereto, in the foregoing embodiment, the first segment is solid and the second segment is porous.
A light assembly according to another embodiment includes a housing, a light source, a condensate production device, and a moisture expulsion device. The housing defines a chamber, and includes a lens, and the housing includes an opening. The light source adapted to direct light from the chamber and through the lens. The condensate production device is disposed in the chamber. The moisture expulsion device is adapted to receive condensate from the condensate production device, and expels the condensate as vapor through the opening.
Additionally to the foregoing embodiment, the moisture expulsion device is substantially disposed below the condensate production device.
In the alternative or additionally thereto, in the foregoing embodiment, the moisture expulsion device includes a porous segment for entrainment of the condensate.
In the alternative or additionally thereto, in the foregoing embodiment, the light assembly includes a frame engaged to the housing, and extends about the opening in the housing. The frame is further engaged to, and extends about the moisture expulsion device.
In the alternative or additionally thereto, in the foregoing embodiment, an expulsion cavity is defined by the frame and the porous segment, and is in direct fluid communication with the opening.
In the alternative or additionally thereto, in the foregoing embodiment, the light assembly includes, a vent disposed over the opening.
The above features and advantages, and other features and advantages of the disclosure are readily apparent from the following detailed description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
Other features, advantages and details appear, by way of example only, in the following detailed description, the detailed description referring to the drawings in which:
The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, its application or uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features. As used herein, the terms controller and/or module refer to processing circuitry that may include an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (shared, dedicated, or group) and memory that executes one or more software or firmware programs, a combinational logic circuit, and/or other suitable components that provide the described functionality.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a light assembly 20 is illustrated in
The light assembly 20 includes a housing 22, a light source 24, and a water vapor removal system 26 that may be thermoelectric based. The housing 22 may be substantially closed, defines a chamber 28, and includes a lens 30 that may be generally transparent. The light source 24 radiates, or emits, light rays from within the chamber 28 for transmission through the lens 30. In one example, the light source 24 is in the chamber.
The housing 22, and/or lens 30, may be made of plastic such that the plastic may absorb moisture. Although the housing 22 is substantially closed, the moisture may be desorbed from the plastic, and thereby enter the chamber 28, via thermal energy from an external source (e.g., engine heat, sun load, and others), or an internal source (e.g., light source, electronics, and others). Unless removed, the moisture in the chamber 28 may result in water condensation, may have a displeasing appearance, and/or may degrade operation of the light assembly 20. In other embodiments, the housing may be made of other materials, and/or moisture may enter the chamber 28 via other means (e.g., diffusion, seal failure, etc.).
In another embodiment, the light assembly 20 may further include other instrumentation, and/or sensors 32 located in the chamber 28, and that may be negatively impacted by moisture. Non-limiting examples of such instrumentation 32 include cameras, radar devices, LCD screens, SLED, LIDAR, and others.
Referring to
The condensate production device 34 includes a first side, or portion, 42, and a second side, or portion, 44. When energized, the first side is generally cold, and the second side is hot (i.e., appreciably warmer than the cold side 42). In operation, suspended moisture (i.e., water vapor) in the chamber 28 condenses upon the cold side 42. The condensed water is then received by the moisture expulsion device 36 that facilitates the collection and removal of the condensate from the light assembly 20. That is, in one embodiment, water is physically collected and removed. In another embodiment, moisture removal is achieved via vaporization. In yet another embodiment, water may be removed via direct wicking, or dripping to the exterior.
In one embodiment, the cold side 42 of the condensate production device 34 may be contoured, or textured, to facilitate condensation. For example, the cold side 42, may be or may be a plurality of fins 46 (see
In one non-limiting embodiment, the moisture expulsion device 36 of the water vapor removal system 26 is adapted to receive both the thermal energy from the hot side 44 of the condensate production device 34 via thermal conduction, and receive the condensate from the cold side 42. Once received, the water vapor removal system 26 forms water vapor from the condensate for expulsion from the light assembly 20. The moisture expulsion device 36 includes a first segment 48 and a second segment 50, and may further include a condensate flow structure 52 for the channeling of condensate. Examples of a condensate flow structure 52 include a trough (as illustrated in
The first segment 48 extends between, and is in contact with, the hot side 44 of the condensate production device 34 and the second segment 50 of the moisture expulsion device 36 for the conduction of heat from the hot side 44 to the second segment 50. In one embodiment, the first segment 48 is generally solid and is made of a material ideal for the thermal conduction of energy. For example, the first segment 48 may be metallic (e.g., aluminum). The second segment 50 may be made from a porous material, specific geometric structure, or surface treatment to facilitate vaporization of condensate conveyed via flow structure 52. With the thermal energy received from the first segment 48, the vaporization of the condensate by the second segment 50 is optimized.
Referring to
Referring again to
When the water vapor removal system 26 is fully assembled, the frame 54 and exterior or outward surface 74 of the second segment 50 include boundaries that define an expulsion cavity 76. The expulsion cavity 76 is in direct fluid communication with the opening 56 in the housing 22. The water vapor removal system 26 may further include a vent 78 that covers the opening 56 (see
Referring again to
In other embodiments, the moisture expulsion device 36 may include the first segment 48 and a condensate flow structure 52 as previously described. The condensate flow structure 52 directly penetrates through an opening in the light assembly housing 22, allowing for condensate to exit the light assembly primarily in liquid form. The downstream, or expulsion, portion of the condensate flow structure 52 may include a labyrinthine structure or material to prohibit the intrusion of water or dust into the light assembly. Various seals (not shown) may be utilized.
In yet other embodiments, the hot side 44, of the condensate production device 34 may include a heat sink for dissipating thermal energy. The heat sink may be oriented such that it is located outside of the light assembly housing 22 to optimize the dissipation of the thermal energy from the thermoelectric device.
Advantages and benefits of the present disclosure include an efficient means of maintaining low humidity conditions inside a light assembly thereby preventing condensation, and allowing humidity sensitive sub-systems and components inside the assembly to operate effectively. Further benefits include the lack of moving parts, optimal packaging, and low cost.
While the above disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from its scope. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but will include all embodiments falling within the scope thereof.
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| 9726362 | Rosen | Aug 2017 | B2 |
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| 20180080620 | Kim | Mar 2018 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 2018178532 | Oct 2018 | WO |
