Patent Application
20120230046
N/A
The present disclosure relates to illumination systems, and more particularly pertains to illumination systems and methods for providing the appearance of multiple discrete light sources.
Vehicle lights (for example headlights) are designed not only as illumination sources, but also as aesthetic features of the vehicle. Recently, light emitting diodes (LEDs) have become increasingly popular, for example, see U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,621,667 and 7,621,667 to Behr et al. In particular, some vehicles have headlights and/or taillights having multiple LEDs which function as discrete light sources, for example, see U.S. Pat. No. 6,796,695 to Natsume. While these multiple, discrete LED headlights are aesthetically pleasing, they heretofore have suffered from several difficulties. For example, the use of a LED to form each individual, discrete light source results increased cost due to the number of LEDs required (for example, but not limited to, ten LEDs for each headlight). The large number of required LEDs also increases the amount of heat generated, thus necessitating one or more fans, air ducts, and the like to ensure that the operating temperature of the LEDs is maintained within an acceptable range. Consequently, numerous components are necessary which results in a very expensive and complex headlight which requires tight manufacturing tolerances to properly aim the multiple, discrete light sources.
Features and advantage of the claimed subject matter will be apparent from the following description of embodiments consistent therewith, which description should be considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
By way of an overview, one aspect consistent with the present disclosure may feature a vehicle illumination system having at least one light projector system. The projector system includes at least one light engine, at least one reflector, and a plurality of discrete light lenses. Each light engine is configured to emit light which is reflected by an associated reflector through an associated plurality of discrete light lenses. As such, light from a single light engine is emitted from a plurality of discrete light lenses, thereby providing a visual appearance of multiple, individual light engines (i.e., the projector apparatus has the appearance of having an individual light engine associated with each light source emitted from the projector system) without the complexities associated with having multiple, individual light engines.
Referring to
Turning now to
The projector system 16 may receive an electrical input from the power source 18, for example, to energize the light engine 24 and/or the shutter 28. The power source 18 may comprise a DC and/or AC power source, and may optionally include one or more inverters, converters, and/or power conditioners. Optionally, one or more ballast circuits 30 may receive an electrical input from the power source 18 and convert it to a stable output for driving the projector system 16. One or more of the ballast circuits 30 may be positioned remotely from the projector system 16 or may be integral with or coupled directed to the housing 22 of the projector system 16.
The controller 20 may transmit one or more signals to control the operation of the illumination system 12. For example, the controller 20 may transmit a signal to the power source 18 in order to selectively energize one or more of the light engines 24. The controller 20 may also transmit a signal to the shutter 28 to selectively control the position of the shutter 28, for example, to select between high beam and/or low beam modes. The controller 20 may receive an input signal generated under the control of a user and/or generated from one or more sensors such as, but not limited to, an ambient light sensor or the like (not shown) and/or from another computer system (such as, but not limited to, a vehicle electronic control system (ECU)).
Turning now to
The light assembly 32 includes at least one light engine 24 and at least one reflector 36. Light (generally indicated by arrows L) emitted from the light engine 24 is reflected by the reflector 36 to the discrete light assembly 34. A portion of the light L is then transmitted though the plurality of discrete light lenses 14a-n to create an illumination pattern 38 having the appearance of a plurality of individual light engines. The illumination pattern 38 may include, for example, a high beam pattern (in which light L from the projector system 16 is emitted above and below the horizon), a low beam pattern (in which light L from the projector system 16 is emitted generally only below the horizon), or the like.
The light engine 24 includes any known light source configuration such as one or more incandescent light source (such as, but not limited to, a halogen lamp), LEDs (with or without a remote phosphor element), a gas discharge light source such as a fluorescent tube (e.g., in a compact fluorescent (CFL) lamp), and/or a high-intensity discharge (HID) light source. While the light engine 24 is illustrated as a single light source, the light engine 24 may include multiple light sources depending on the application. For example, the light engine 24 may include multiple LEDs mounted on one or more printed circuit boards (PCBs).
As illustrated, the light engine 24 may emit light L in a direction generally perpendicular to the direction of the illumination pattern 38 and the reflector 36 is configured to redirect at least a portion of the light L generally towards the discrete light assembly 34. It should be appreciated, however, that the arrangement, shape and/or contour of the light engine 24 and the reflector 36 will depend on the specific application of the projector system 16 and may include (but is not limited to) such factors as the overall size constraints on the projector system 16, desired aesthetic appearance of the projector system 16, as well as the desired luminosity of the projector system 16.
The reflector 36 may be selected to have a high reflectivity. For example, the reflector 36 may have a reflectivity equal to or greater than 85%. The reflector 36 may also be selected from a material having a high thermal conductivity. In particular, the reflector 36 may be configured to reduce the junction temperature of the light engine 24 by conducting thermal energy from the light engine 24 and spreading the thermal energy across a greater area of the housing 22. For example, the reflector 36 may have a thermal conductivity, k, of 1.0 W/(m*K) or greater, 1.3 W/(m*K) or greater, 2.5 W/(m*K) or greater, 5.0 W/(m*K) or greater, 1.3-5.0 W/(m*K), 2.5-5.0 W/(m*K), 100 W/(m*K) or greater, for example, 200 W/(m*K) or greater. According to one embodiment, the reflector 36 may include a metal (such as, but not limited to, aluminum, copper, silver, gold, or the like), metal alloys, plastics (e.g., but not limited to, doped plastics), as well as composites. The thermal material may also be coated and/or layered with an optically reflective material to provide the desired reflectivity.
The discrete light assembly 34 includes a plurality of discrete light lenses 14a-n, wherein each of the plurality of discrete light lenses 14a-n is separated from an adjacent discrete light lens 14 by a border region 44. According to one embodiment, the plurality of discrete light lenses 14a-n may be mounted, coupled, or otherwise secured to a frame 42 of the discrete light assembly 34. For example, the frame 42 may include a plurality of channels (not shown for clarity) in which the discrete light lenses 14a-n may be mounted. Alternatively, the plurality of discrete light lenses 14a-n may be formed as a monolithic structure with the discrete light assembly 34.
The border regions 44 of the discrete light assembly 34 are configured to be opaque or generally opaque. As used herein, the term “opaque” is intended to mean that no light L emitted from the light engine 24 is emitted through the border region 44 while the term “generally opaque” is intended to mean that the border region 44 allows no more than 10% of the light L emitted from the light engine 24 is emitted through the border region 44. The border regions 44 may include portions of the frame 42 and/or portions of the monolithic discrete light assembly 34. For example, the border regions 44 may include a decorative trim and/or a mask, for example, which is black in color or which matches the color of the vehicle (
As illustrated in
For the sake of clarity,
According to one embodiment, the plurality of discrete light lenses 14a-n do not generally alter the direction of the light L reflected from the reflector 36. In particular, the plurality of discrete light lenses 14a-n may generally allow the light L from the reflector 36 to pass straight through the discrete light lenses 14a-n. In this case, the illumination pattern 38 is generated by the reflector 36, and the plurality of discrete light lenses 14a-n only function to create an appearance of a plurality of individual, discrete light engines. Alternatively (or in addition), at least one of the plurality of discrete light lenses 14a-n may be configured to focus the light L emitted from the projector system 16 to create and/or aid in the formation of the at least a portion of the illumination pattern 38. Furthermore, at least one of the plurality of discrete light lenses 14a-n may redirect a portion of the light L emitted from the projector system 16 (generally illustrated by arrows 46) to create a jeweled, brilliant appearance. In particular, a portion of a discrete light lens 14a may be configured to create a desired amount of external and/or internal brilliance (i.e., the amount of incident light reflected back to the viewer). A portion of a discrete light lens 14a may also be configured to create a desired amount of dispersive power (i.e., the ability of the lens 14a to split white light into its component spectral colors). While not a limitation of the present disclosure unless specifically claimed as such, dispersion may be particularly useful for use with emergency vehicles. Dispersion may also be useful for creating aesthetically pleasing effects.
The discrete light lenses 14a-n may have any shape depending on the desired aesthetic appearance. For example, one or more of the discrete light lenses 14a-n may have a generally square cross-section, a generally circular cross-section, a generally oval cross-section, a generally rectangular cross-section, or the like. A discrete light lens 14a having a square cross-section may have an appearance similar to the “ice-cube” associated with expensive headlights which have an individual LED for each discrete light source. The discrete light lenses 14a-n may also have a convex, concaved, or aspherical configuration which may be configured to focus the light to form the illumination pattern 38 and/or diffuse a portion of the light L 46 to form the jeweled, brilliant appearance discussed herein.
The reflector 36 may be configured to reflect the light L emitted from the light engine 24 generally only through the discrete light lenses 14a-n. In particular, the reflector 36 may be configured to aim the light L through the discrete light lenses 14a-n and generally not at the border region 44. Such an arrangement may increase the efficiently of the projector system 16 and allow a smaller light engine 24 (i.e., lower wattage) while achieving a desired luminosity. Alternatively, the reflector 36 may be configured to reflect the light L emitted from the light engine 24 generally evenly across the inner surface 51 of the discrete light assembly 34. Such an arrangement may be less complex and easier/cheaper to manufacture.
Optionally, the projector system 16 may include an outer lens 23. The outer lens 23 may be provided to increase the aerodynamics of the projector system 16. For example, the outer lens 23 may allow the projector system 16 to aerodynamically blend in with the adjacent portions of the vehicle to reduce aerodynamic drag. The outer lens 23 may also be configured to protect the plurality of discrete light lenses 14a-n from debris and the like.
Turning now to
Simulations were performed using the projector system 16a of
Tables 2 and 3 (below) show the predicted simulation results for a low and a high beam mode, respectively, of another embodiment of a projector system consistent with the present disclosure.
The following is a list of reference numeral used in the specification:
According to a one aspect, the present disclosure features a projector system. The projector system includes a discrete light assembly and a first reflector. The discrete light assembly includes a first plurality of discrete light lenses, wherein each of the first plurality of discrete light lenses is separated from an adjacent discrete light lens by a first border region which is generally opaque. The first reflector is configured to reflect light emitted from a first light engine through the first plurality of discrete light lenses. Light emitted from the first light engine is emitted from the first plurality of discrete light lenses such that each of the first plurality of discrete light lenses appears to be associated with individual light engines.
The projector system may optionally include a second plurality of discrete light lenses and a second reflector. Each of the second plurality of discrete light lenses is separated from an adjacent discrete light lens by a second, generally opaque border region. The second reflector is configured to reflect light emitted from a second light engine through the second plurality of discrete light lenses. Light emitted from the second light engine is emitted from the second plurality of discrete light lenses such that each of the second plurality of discrete light lenses appears to be associated with individual light engines.
According to another aspect, the present disclosure features an illumination system including a light engine, a projector system, and optionally a controller. The projector system includes a discrete light assembly and a reflector. The discrete light assembly includes a plurality of discrete light lenses, wherein each of the plurality of discrete light lenses is separated from an adjacent discrete light lens by a border region which is generally opaque. The reflector is configured to reflect light emitted from the light engine through the plurality of discrete light lenses. The controller is configured to selectively energize the light engine. Light emitted from the light engine is emitted from the plurality of discrete light lenses such that each of the plurality of discrete light lenses appears to be associated with individual light engines.
According to yet another aspect, the present disclosure features method including emitting light from a light engine; reflecting light emitted from the light engine to a discrete light assembly, the discrete light assembly having a plurality of discrete light lenses, wherein each of the plurality of discrete light lenses is separated from an adjacent discrete light lens by a border region which is generally opaque; and emitting the reflected light through the plurality of discrete light lenses such that the light emitted from each of the plurality of discrete light lenses appears to be associated with individual light engines; wherein the generally opaque border region blocks a portion of the reflected light from being emitted through the plurality of discrete light lenses.
The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” and the like herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another, and the terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.
While the principles of the present disclosure have been described herein, it is to be understood by those skilled in the art that this description is made only by way of example and not as a limitation as to the scope of the invention. The features and aspects described with reference to particular embodiments disclosed herein are susceptible to combination and/or application with various other embodiments described herein. Such combinations and/or applications of such described features and aspects to such other embodiments are contemplated herein. Other embodiments are contemplated within the scope of the present invention in addition to the exemplary embodiments shown and described herein. Modifications and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in the art are considered to be within the scope of the present invention.
