This disclosure pertains to an optically adjustable light module and, in particular, to an optically adjustable LED light module for motor vehicles.
Motor vehicles include various lights that provide exterior illumination or increase visibility of the vehicle to others. These lights can include several lighting functions, among others daytime running lamps (DRLs). DRLs purposely provide lights used during daytime to alert oncoming drivers enhancing car conspicuity. Usually the DRLs are activated with the operation of the car and deactivated/dimmed to position lights when other front lighting functions are activated. Those can be incorporated in new cars, but a need exists to mount them on existing cars.
DRL light modules used in motor vehicles may have a plurality of light sources such as LEDs. The light sources are positioned/directed in such a way that the overall projected light requirements relative to the car longitudinal axis are met. This is ensured by defining an optical axis for the module, ensuring projected light requirements relative to the optical axis, and setting the optical axis parallel with the car axis during installation.
Car fronts where the DRL modules should be attached vary in shape and angle relative to the car axis. Therefore attaching DRL modules to existing cars can be difficult, as current DRL module designs feature preset optical axis—module axis angles. As a consequence different designs regarding the light module angle are needed for different car front shapes.
The DRL light module of this disclosure solves this problem in that it can be fit to existing car fronts with different shapes, the optical axis adjusted to be parallel with the car axis.
In general, this disclosure features an optically adjustable light module comprising at least one light source or lamp which is rotatable about a rotational axis and has an optical axis; and an arm that is connected to the light source such that movement of the arm enables the rotation of the light source and adjustment of the optical axis.
Referring to specific features, the light source can comprise a light emitting diode. The light source can comprise a reflector and/or lens system and a light emitting diode (and associated electronics) positioned such that light from the diode is partly reflected by the reflector and/or lens system. The light module can include a housing with heat transfer fins disposed in thermal communication with the housing, the light sources and the arm being received in the housing. A light transmitting cover can optionally be fastened to a front of the housing. A seating surface can receive a fastener at the rotational axis of the light source.
In a first specific aspect, an L-shaped bracket has a base leg and an upstanding leg. The light source is secured to the upstanding leg. A fastener disposed at the rotational axis of the light source extends between the base leg and the seating surface. The fastener at the rotational axis and a fastener between the base leg and arm enable rotation of the light source such that the optical axis is adjusted parallel with a longitudinal reference line (e.g., the longitudinal axis of a motor vehicle) when the arm is moved.
In a second specific aspect, an L-shaped bracket has a base leg and an upstanding leg. The light source is secured to the upstanding leg. A linkage plate is disposed between the seating surface and the base leg. A fastener disposed at the rotational axis of the light source extends between the base leg and the seating surface (and through the linkage plate). The fastener at the rotational axis, a fastener disposed between the base leg and the linkage plate and a fastener disposed between the linkage plate and the arm enable rotation of the light source such that the optical axis is adjusted parallel with a longitudinal reference line (e.g., the longitudinal axis of a motor vehicle) when the arm is moved.
Regarding additional specific features, a handle is rotatably mounted at a rotational axis to the seating surface, and includes a fastener between the handle and arm. Pivoting of the handle about the rotational axis moves the arm. The light module is configured and arranged to be mounted to a motor vehicle, in particular as a daytime running light for the motor vehicle. There can be at least two of the light sources, in particular, at least four of the light sources.
Referring to a second embodiment, an optically adjustable light module comprises a plurality of light sources which are each rotatable about a rotational axis and are configured and arranged to have parallel optical axes, wherein each of the light sources comprises a reflector and/or lens system and a light emitting diode positioned such that light from the light emitting diode is partially reflected by the reflector and/or lens system. An arm is rotatably connected to all of the light sources such that movement of the arm enables the rotation of the light sources and the optical axes of the light sources to be simultaneously adjusted parallel with each other. A housing receives the light sources and the arm in an interior thereof. Heat transfer fins are disposed in thermal communication with the housing. A light transmitting cover can optionally be fastened to a front of the housing.
Regarding specific features that can be used in the second embodiment, either the first or second aspects apply (pertaining to the L-shaped bracket, arm, fasteners and optional linkage plate as described above). In particular, in a first aspect L-shaped brackets in the housing each have a base leg and an upstanding leg. The light sources are secured to the upstanding legs. Fasteners at each rotational axis extend between each base leg and the housing. There are fasteners between each base leg and the arm. The fasteners at each rotational axis, and the fasteners between each base leg and the arm enable rotation of each of the light sources such that the optical axes of the light sources are simultaneously adjusted parallel with each other when the arm is moved. In a second aspect L-shaped brackets in the housing each have a base leg and an upstanding leg. The light sources are secured to the upstanding legs. Linkage plates are disposed between the housing and each base leg. Fasteners at each rotational axis extend between each base leg and the housing. Fasteners are disposed between each base leg and each linkage plate and fasteners are disposed between each linkage plate and the arm. The fasteners at each rotational axis, the fasteners between each base leg and each linkage plate, and the fasteners between each linkage plate and the arm enable rotation of each of the light sources such that the optical axes of the light sources are simultaneously adjusted parallel with each other when the arm is moved.
A handle can be rotatably mounted at a rotational axis to the seating surface, and includes a fastener between the handle and arm. The light module is configured and arranged to be mounted to a motor vehicle, in particular as a daytime running light for the motor vehicle. The plurality of light sources includes at least two of the light sources, in particular, at least four of the light sources.
Referring to a third embodiment of this disclosure, an optically adjustable light module comprises a plurality of light sources which are each rotatable about a rotational axis and are configured and arranged to have parallel optical axes, wherein each of the light sources comprises a reflector and/or lens system and a light emitting diode positioned such that light from the light emitting diode is partially reflected by the reflector and/or lens system. A housing includes a lower seating surface. L-shaped brackets are disposed in the housing each having a base leg and an upstanding leg. The light sources are secured to the upstanding legs. Fasteners are disposed through the base legs at each rotational axis into the seating surface. An arm is disposed in the housing connected to the base legs enabling rotation of each of the light sources. A handle is disposed in the housing that is rotatably mounted at a rotational axis to the seating surface and fastened to the arm such that the optical axes of the light sources are simultaneously adjusted parallel with each other when the handle moves the arm. Heat transfer fins are disposed in thermal communication with the housing. A light transmitting cover can optionally be fastened to a front of the housing.
Specific features described above with regard to the first and second embodiments also apply to the third embodiment. In particular, the light module can be configured and arranged to be mounted to a motor vehicle and can be a daytime running light for the motor vehicle. There can be at least two of the light sources. When the handle moves the arm the longitudinal axis of the handle, and thus the optical axes of the light sources, can be oriented parallel to a longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle.
Many additional features, advantages and a fuller understanding of the invention will be had from the accompanying drawings and the Detailed Description of the Invention that follows. It should be understood that the above Brief Description of the Invention describes the invention in broad terms while the following Detailed Description of the Invention describes the invention more narrowly and presents specific embodiments that should not be construed as necessary limitations of the broad invention as defined in the claims.
An optically adjustable light module 10 comprises a plurality of light sources or lamps 12 which are each rotatable about a rotational axis 14 and are configured and arranged to have parallel optical axes 16. Although this section refers to a plurality of light sources it should be appreciated that the light module can include only a single light source (e.g., one LED). Each of the light sources 12 comprises a reflector and/or lens system 18 and a light emitting diode 20 (and associated electronic circuitry on a PCB 21 that includes and secures the LED) positioned such that light from the light emitting diode is partially reflected by the reflector and/or lens system. A housing 22 includes a raised lower seating surface 24. L-shaped brackets 26 are disposed in the housing 22 each having a base leg 28 and an upstanding leg 30. The light sources 12 are secured to the upstanding legs 30. Fasteners 32 are disposed through the base legs 28 at each rotational axis 14 into the seating surface 24. An arm 34 is disposed in the housing 22 connected to the base legs 28 enabling rotation of each of the light sources 12. A handle 36 is disposed in the housing 22 that is rotatably mounted at a rotational axis 38 to the seating surface 24 and fastened to the arm 34 such that the optical axes 16 of the light sources 12 are simultaneously adjusted parallel with each other when the handle 36 moves the arm 34. Heat transfer fins 40 are in thermal communication with the housing (e.g., disposed at a back of the housing 22). The housing 22 can be made of heat conducting material, preferably aluminum.
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When it is desired to adjust the optical axes 16 of the light sources 12 of this first aspect of the light module 10 design, referring to
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The brackets 26, housing 22, linkage plate 72 and arm 74 are each designed so that the positioning of the central opening 52 in the base leg 28 relative to the openings in the seating surface 24 and linkage plate 72, the positioning of the rear opening 54 of the base leg 28 relative to the opening in the linkage plate 72, the positioning of the front opening in the linkage plate and opening on the arm 74, and spacing apart of these openings for each respective light source 12 along the seating surface 24 of the housing 22 and the arm 74, ensures that the optical axes 16 of all of the light sources 12 are always parallel to each other.
Referring to
When it is desired to adjust the optical axes 16 of the light sources 12 of this second aspect of the light module design 70, referring to
The light module of the first and second design aspects described above, is configured and arranged to be mounted to a motor vehicle (e.g., car, truck or bus), in particular as a daytime running light for the motor vehicle. Any number of light sources may be used in the light module of this disclosure. For example, the plurality of light sources includes at least two of the light sources, in particular, at least four of the light sources.
Many modifications and variations of the invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in light of the foregoing disclosure. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention can be practiced otherwise than has been specifically shown and described.