CN112550534B

CN112550534B - Lighting device

Info

Publication number: CN112550534B
Application number: CN202010940688.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 埃杰; R·沙尔马
Original assignee: Shangyinuo Motorcycle Co ltd
Current assignee: Shangyinuo Motorcycle Co ltd
Priority date: 2019-09-10
Filing date: 2020-09-09
Publication date: 2022-06-07
Anticipated expiration: 2040-09-09
Also published as: CN112550534A

Abstract

A vehicle (100) having a lighting apparatus (200) comprising an outer base (202), an outer lens (212), a printed circuit board (220), at least one first light source (220a), at least one second light source (220b), a reflector assembly (208) and a partition member (210). An outer lens (212) is mounted on the front side of the outer base (202). The reflector assembly (208) comprises an upper reflector member (206a) adapted to reflect emitted light from the at least one first light source (220a) and a lower reflector member (206b) adapted to reflect emitted light from the at least one second light source (220 b). The partition member (210) is configured to limit a portion of the emitted light from the at least one first light source (220a) and the at least one second light source (220 b). According to the invention, the direction indicator lamp (200) performs a direction indicating function and a turn lamp function.

Description

Lighting device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a lighting apparatus, and more particularly, to a lighting apparatus of a two-wheeled vehicle.

Background

In recent years, many lighting devices, such as headlamps integrated with additional LEDs (light emitting diodes) or reflectors being used as corning lights, have become common in the field of lighting devices. Patent reference IN201847036678 is one such example. This patent reference discloses a headlamp unit that provides a headlamp apparatus for saddle-ridden vehicles. An LED is used as a light source, and an illumination range at the time of turning can be expanded upward in the turning direction. An external reflection portion that reflects light emitted from a light source located on the outer side in the vehicle width direction is provided on the reflector. The light source corresponding to the reflector provided with the external reflection portion is turned on only when the roll angle of the vehicle is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

However, this type of arrangement in the headlamp does not necessarily improve visibility because the main function of the headlamp is to provide visibility in the heading direction of the vehicle, not in the turning direction, during the tilting of the vehicle. Furthermore, this arrangement is expensive and increases the overall cost of the headlamp. Therefore, a headlamp integrated with the turn lamp function is not preferable.

Disclosure of Invention

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

In one aspect of the present invention, the present subject matter provides a vehicle. The vehicle includes a lighting device. The lighting device includes an outer base, an outer lens, a printed circuit board, at least one first light source, at least one second light source, a reflector assembly, and a partition member. The outer lens is mounted on the front side of the outer base. The printed circuit board is disposed between the outer lens and the outer base. The printed circuit board has an upper surface and a lower surface. The at least one first light source is disposed on an upper surface of the printed circuit board, the at least one first light source configured to illuminate for performing a function as a direction indicator. The at least one second light source is disposed on a lower surface of the printed circuit board, the at least one second light source configured to illuminate based on at least one vehicle state parameter to perform a function as a corner dark space eliminator. The reflector assembly includes an upper reflector member and a lower reflector member. The upper reflector member is adapted to reflect emitted light from the at least one first light source. The lower reflector member is adapted to reflect emitted light from the at least one second light source. The partition member is disposed in front of the printed circuit board. The partition member is configured to limit a portion of the emitted light from the at least one first light source and the at least one second light source.

In an embodiment, the outer lens and the outer base are configured to form a single compartment.

In one embodiment, the printed circuit board is mounted inside a cup-shaped outer base.

In an embodiment, the at least one first light source is activated when the steering switch is activated.

In an embodiment, the at least one vehicle state parameter is a tilt angle of the vehicle, and the at least one second light source is activated when the tilt angle sensor receives a vehicle tilt angle value above a predetermined value during operation of the vehicle.

In an embodiment, the at least one first light source and the at least one second light source emit light of different colors.

In an embodiment, the reflector assembly comprises an upper reflector member, a lower reflector member, a middle reflector member, and the middle reflector member has one of the shapes from the group of shapes comprising a U-shaped structure, a C-shaped structure, a V-shaped structure.

In an embodiment, the at least one first light source is arranged in front of the upper reflector member, and the upper reflector member is designed according to a first set of curvatures.

In an embodiment, the at least one second light source is arranged in front of the lower reflector member, and the lower reflector member is designed according to the second set of curvatures.

In an embodiment, the partition member is provided in such a manner as to overlap the at least one first light source and the at least one second light source when viewed from the front side of the vehicle.

In an embodiment, the partition member is mounted on a middle reflector member of the reflector assembly.

In an embodiment, the partition member is integrally mounted on the outer lens.

In an embodiment, the partition member limits the emission of light from the at least one first light source to the area of the at least one second light source, and the partition member limits the emission of light from the at least one second light source to the area of the at least one first light source.

In one aspect of the invention, the subject matter is a directional indicator light (winker). The turn signal includes an outer base, an outer lens, a printed circuit board, at least one first light source, at least one second light source, a reflector assembly, and a partition member. The outer lens is mounted on the front side of the outer base. The printed circuit board is disposed between the outer lens and the outer base. The printed circuit board has an upper surface and a lower surface. The at least one first light source is disposed on an upper surface of the printed circuit board, the at least one first light source configured to illuminate for performing a function as a direction indicator. The at least one second light source is disposed on a lower surface of the printed circuit board, the at least one second light source configured to illuminate based on at least one vehicle status parameter to perform a function as a corner dark space eliminator. The reflector assembly includes an upper reflector member and a lower reflector member. The upper reflector member is adapted to reflect emitted light from the at least one first light source. The lower reflector member is adapted to reflect emitted light from the at least one second light source. The partition member is disposed in front of the printed circuit board. The partition member is configured to limit a portion of the emitted light from the at least one first light source and the at least one second light source.

One advantage of the present invention is that the lighting device or turn signal can perform two functions, namely a direction signal function and a turn signal function.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the lighting device provides visibility in the direction of a turn during a vehicle roll.

Another advantage of the present invention is that at least one first light source and at least one second light source are mounted on the upper and lower surfaces of the single plate, thereby achieving a reduction in size of the lighting apparatus.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides visibility in the direction of a turn without compromising ease of use.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides visibility of the turning direction without any change to the headlamps.

Drawings

The invention itself, further features, and advantages thereof, will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. One or more embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with like reference numerals referring to like elements, and wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of an exemplary vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention;

fig. 2 illustrates an exploded view of a lighting device according to an embodiment of the invention;

fig. 2a illustrates an isometric view of a lighting device according to an embodiment of the invention;

fig. 2b illustrates a side view of a lighting device according to an embodiment of the invention; and

fig. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a lighting device according to an embodiment of the invention.

The drawings referred to in this description should not be understood as being drawn to scale unless specifically noted, and such drawings are merely exemplary in nature.

Detailed Description

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.

The terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that an arrangement, structure, or method that comprises a list of elements or steps does not include only those elements or steps but may include other elements or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such arrangement, structure, or method. In other words, one or more elements of a system or device, prefaced by the word "comprising … …", without further constraint, does not preclude the presence of other elements or additional elements in the system or device.

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and described herein below, and in the following drawings, like numerals are used to identify like components in the various views.

However, although the invention is illustrated in the context of a vehicle, the lighting device and aspects and features thereof may also be used with other types of vehicles. The terms "vehicle", "two-wheeled vehicle" and "scooter" have been used interchangeably throughout the specification. The term "vehicle" includes vehicles such as motorcycles, scooters, bicycles, motorcycles, skateboard-type vehicles, All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs), and the like.

The terms "front/forward", "rear/back/rearward", "upward/above/top", "downward/below/lower area/downward, bottom", "left/left", "right/right" used herein denote directions as seen from the vehicle driver straddling, and these directions are referred to by arrows Fr, Rr, U, Lr, L, R in the drawings.

Referring to fig. 1, a vehicle (100) according to an embodiment of the invention is depicted. The vehicle (100) referred to herein comprises a motorized scooter. Alternatively, without limiting the scope of the invention, the vehicle (100) may comprise any other riding vehicle, such as a scooter, an All Terrain Vehicle (ATV), and the like.

The vehicle (100) includes a front end structure (102) and a rear end structure (104). The front end structure (102) forms a front portion of the vehicle (100). The rear end structure (104) forms a rear portion of the vehicle (100).

The front end structure (102) includes a front ground engaging member (114), a front cover plate (124), and a steering mechanism (116). The front ground engaging member (114) is operatively connected to a steering mechanism (116). The steering mechanism (116) includes a handle (118). The handle (118) is configured to be rotated by a rider to steer the vehicle (100).

The front end structure (102) includes a headlamp (24) and a lighting device (200). The lighting apparatus (200) is supported on a front panel (124) of the vehicle (100). Furthermore, without limiting the scope of the invention, the front end structure (102) may further include additional components such as a rear view mirror, a front fender, a brake, and the like.

The rear end structure (104) includes a seat (240), a rear ground engaging member (20), and an engine (22). The seat (240) provides seating for a rider and a passenger of the vehicle (100). The rear ground engaging member (20) is located below the seat (108) and is driven by the engine (22). Furthermore, without limiting the scope of the invention, the backend structure (104) may include additional components such as suspension system(s), tail light(s), and the like.

With further reference to fig. 1, the vehicle (100) further includes one or more body components, such as a frame (12) and a fuel tank (26). The frame (12) supports the engine (22) in a middle portion of the vehicle (100). In the illustrated example, the engine (22) provides the necessary power required to drive the rear wheels (20) of the vehicle (100). Alternatively, without limiting the scope of the invention, the engine (22) may provide the necessary power to drive the front wheels (114) or to drive both the front wheels (114) and the rear wheels (20) simultaneously. The rear wheels (20) are linked to the engine (22) by a transmission (not numbered). A fuel tank (26) provides the necessary fuel to the engine (22) to generate power within the vehicle (10).

With reference to fig. 2, 2a, 2b and 3, a lighting device (200) for a vehicle (100) is disclosed. In one embodiment, the lighting device (200) is interchangeably referred to as a turn signal (200), such as a forward turn signal (200) of a vehicle (100). When the vehicle (100) is driven, the winker lamp (200) blinks to generate winker signals to other vehicles. In still the same embodiment, the lighting device (200) provides illumination to the downward direction of the vehicle (100) while the vehicle (100) is tilted.

The lighting device (200) comprises an outer base (202), an outer lens (212), a printed circuit board (220), at least one first light source (220a), at least one second light source (220b), a mirror assembly (208), and a partition member (210). An outer lens (212) is mounted on the front side of the outer base (202). The outer lens (212) and the outer base (202) are configured to form a single compartment (200). In this embodiment, the outer base (202) has a cup-shaped configuration. However, in another embodiment, the outer base (202) structure may have a different shape, such as a U-shaped structure, a V-shaped structure, or the like.

A printed circuit board (220) is disposed between the outer lens (212) and the outer base (202). In this embodiment, the printed circuit board (220) is mounted inside the cup-shaped outer base (202). The printed circuit board (220) has an upper surface (221) and a lower surface (222). At least one first light source (220a) is disposed on an upper surface (221) of the printed circuit board (220), the at least one first light source (220a) configured to illuminate for performing a function as a direction indicator. At least one second light source (220b) is disposed on a lower surface (222) of the printed circuit board (220), the at least one second light source (220b) configured to illuminate based on at least one vehicle status parameter to perform a function as a corner dark space eliminator.

The reflector assembly (208) includes an upper reflector member (206a) and a lower reflector member (206 b). The upper reflector member (206a) is adapted to reflect emitted light from the at least one first light source (220 a). The lower reflector member (206b) is adapted to reflect emitted light from the at least one second light source (220 b). The partition member (210) is disposed in front of the printed circuit board (220). The partition member (210) is configured to limit a portion of the emitted light from the at least one first light source (220a) and the at least one second light source (220 b). When the steering switch is activated, the at least one first light source (220a) is activated. The at least one vehicle state parameter is a tilt angle of the vehicle (100). The at least one second light source (220b) is activated when the tilt angle sensor receives a vehicle tilt angle value above a predetermined value during operation of the vehicle (100). In this embodiment, at least one first light source (220a) and at least one second light source (220b) are emitting different colors of light.

Referring to fig. 2a and 3, the partition member (210) is disposed in such a manner as to overlap at least one first light source (220a) and at least one second light source (220b) when viewed from the front side of the vehicle (100). The partition member (210) limits light emitted from the at least one first light source (220a) to the area of the at least one second light source (220 b). Also, the partition member (210) limits light emitted from the at least one second light source (220b) to the area of the at least one first light source (220 a).

In the present embodiment, the partition member (210) is mounted on the intermediate reflector member (206c) of the reflector assembly (208). In another embodiment, the partition member (210) is integrally mounted on the outer lens (212). Partition elements (210) are interchangeably referred to as bezel (bezel) elements (210).

Referring to fig. 2a, the reflector assembly (208) comprises an upper reflector member (206a), a lower reflector member (206b), a middle reflector member (206C), and the middle reflector member (206C) has one of the shapes from the group of shapes comprising a U-shaped structure, a C-shaped structure, a V-shaped structure.

With further reference to fig. 2b, at least one first light source (220a) is arranged in front of the upper reflector member (206a), and the upper reflector member (206a) is designed according to a first set of curvatures. At least one second light source (220b) is arranged in front of the lower reflector member (206b), and the lower reflector member (206b) is designed according to a second set of curvatures. The upper reflector assembly (206a) includes at least one upper attachment member (231) for snapping the reflector assembly (208) into the outer base (202). Further, the lower reflector assembly (206b) comprises at least one lower connecting member (232) for snapping the reflector assembly (208) in the outer base (202).

Referring to fig. 1 and 2, the outer base (202) has a proximal end that is mounted to a front fascia (124) of the vehicle (100). The proximal end is provided with a threaded mounting arrangement (216) and a locking member (218) for anti-rotation purposes to mount the lighting device (200) to the bezel plate (124). The outer base (202) has a cup-like cross-sectional shape with an outer plate (220) located therein. The outer base (202) is molded from a synthetic resin or the like.

The outer plate (220) is mounted within the cup-shaped outer base (202), which may be an elongated plate, wherein at least one first light source (220a) is mounted on an upper surface (221) of the outer plate (220) and at least one second light source (220b) is mounted on a lower surface (222) of the outer plate (220, see fig. 3). At least one first light source (220a) mounted on the upper surface of the plate (220) acts as a direction indicator for other vehicles when the steering switch is activated. In addition, at least one second light source (220b) mounted on the lower surface of the panel (220, refer to fig. 3) serves as a turning light source, and is turned on when the vehicle is tilted above a predetermined value. In one embodiment, the predetermined value of the inclination of the vehicle (100) is obtained from an inclination angle sensor mounted on the vehicle (100). In an embodiment, the at least one first light source (220a) and the at least one second light source (220b) comprise Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). In another embodiment, the at least one first light source (220a) and the at least one second light source (220b) may comprise light bulbs.

When at least one first light source (220a) and at least one second light source (220b) are installed on the upper and lower surfaces of the single plate 220, a size reduction of the lighting apparatus (200) is achieved.

The reflector assembly (208) includes an upper reflector assembly (206a) and a lower reflector assembly (206 b). In one embodiment, the reflector assembly (208) has an upper plate on which the upper reflector assembly (206a) is mounted and a lower plate on which the lower reflector assembly (206b) is mounted. The upper plate is provided with through holes (225) corresponding to the at least one first light source (220a) such that light emitted from the at least one first light source (220a) passes through the through holes (225) and is reflected by a corresponding reflector of the upper reflector assembly (206 a). The light rays reflected by the respective reflectors of the upper reflector assembly (206a) correspond to directional indications of other vehicles while traveling. Similarly, through holes (not shown) corresponding to the at least one second light source (220b) are provided on the lower plate such that light emitted from the at least one second light source (220b) passes through the through holes (not shown) and is reflected by corresponding reflectors of the lower reflector assembly (206 a). The light rays reflected by the respective reflectors of the lower reflector assembly (206b) are referred to as the turning light direction when the vehicle (100) is tilted. The direction of illumination is towards the side of the vehicle and in the downward direction. Since the lighting device (200) is mounted more toward the vehicle outboard direction and outward, the turning light direction provided by the respective reflectors of the lower reflector assembly (206b) of the lighting device (200) improves the rider's visibility when the vehicle (100) is leaning.

In an embodiment, the plate (220) is accommodated between the upper and lower plates such that the light sources (206a, 206b) correspond to through holes (225), and these through holes (225) are arranged to correspond to at least one first light source (220a) and at least one second light source (220b) such that light emitted from the light sources (206a, 206b) passes through the holes (225) arranged in the mirror assembly (208).

A partition member (210) is disposed in front of the reflector assembly (208) to provide a clear separation of light emitted from the at least one first light source (220a) and the at least one second light source (220b) disposed on the upper plate. In an embodiment, the partition member (210) blocks light in its path and provides a dark area when viewed from the front of the vehicle (100).

An outer lens (212) is mounted on the front side of the outer base (202). The outer lens (212) is configured to diffusely reflect light reflected by the reflector assembly (208).

Referring to fig. 3, light emitted by at least one first light source (220a) illuminates an area (302a) as an upper direction. Similarly, light emitted from the at least one second light source (220b) illuminates an area (302b) in the downward direction and to the side of the vehicle (100). In an embodiment, when the winker switch is activated, the at least one first light source (220a) and the at least one second light source (220b) are illuminated simultaneously, i.e. the winker function (direction indication) and the turning function of the lighting device (200) are active simultaneously. In another embodiment, at least one first light source (220a) is illuminated to function as a direction indicator while a turn signal switch is activated, while at least one second light source (220b) is illuminated based on a signal received from a tilt angle sensor.

Based on the above, it is clear that a light source acting as a turn light and another light source acting as a direction indicating function of the direction indicator light (200) on a single board are advantageous for obtaining a compact design of the lighting device (200). In addition, the illumination apparatus (200) is placed outward on the vehicle side, and thus light emitted from a light source placed on the lower surface of the board (220) enhances visibility of the rider when the vehicle (100) is tilted.

According to the invention, the lighting device (200) is capable of performing two functions, namely a direction indicating function and a turn light function. Also, the lighting device (200) provides visibility in a turning direction during a tilt of the vehicle (100). Further, the present invention provides visibility in the turning direction without affecting ease of use, and does not make any change to the headlamp.

Although a few embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be appropriately modified within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on particular features of the invention, it will be appreciated that various modifications can be made, and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the invention. These and other modifications in the nature of the invention or preferred embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be clearly understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative of the invention and not in limitation thereof.

Claims

1. A vehicle (100) comprising:

an illumination device (200) comprising:

an outer base (202);

an outer lens (212) mounted on a front side of the outer base (202);

a printed circuit board (220) disposed between the outer lens (212) and the outer base (202), the printed circuit board (220) having an upper surface (221) and a lower surface (222);

at least one first light source (220a) disposed on the upper surface (221) of the printed circuit board (220), the at least one first light source (220a) configured to illuminate for performing a function as a directional indicator;

at least one second light source (220b) disposed on the lower surface (222) of the printed circuit board (220), the at least one second light source (220b) configured to illuminate based on at least one vehicle status parameter to perform a function as a corner dark space eliminator;

a reflector assembly (208) comprising:

an upper reflector member (206a) adapted to reflect emitted light from the at least one first light source (220 a); and

a lower reflector member (206b) adapted to reflect emitted light from the at least one second light source (220 b); and

a partition member (210) disposed in front of the printed circuit board (220), the partition member (210) being configured to limit a portion of the emitted light from the at least one first light source (220a) and the at least one second light source (220 b).

2. The vehicle (100) of claim 1, characterized in that the outer lens (212) and the outer base (202) are configured to form a single compartment.

3. The vehicle (100) of claim 1, characterized in that the printed circuit board (220) is mounted inside a cup-shaped outer base (202).

4. The vehicle (100) of claim 1, characterized in that the at least one first light source (220a) is activated when a steering switch is activated.

5. The vehicle (100) of claim 1, wherein at least one vehicle state parameter is a tilt angle of the vehicle (100), and wherein the at least one second light source (220b) is activated when a tilt angle sensor receives a vehicle tilt angle value above a predetermined value during operation of the vehicle (100).

6. The vehicle (100) of claim 1, characterized in that the at least one first light source (220a) and the at least one second light source (220b) emit light of different colors.

7. The vehicle (100) of claim 1, characterized in that the reflector assembly (208) comprises the upper reflector member (206a), the lower reflector member (206b), a middle reflector member (206C), and the middle reflector member (206C) has one of the shapes from the group of shapes comprising a U-shaped structure, a C-shaped structure, a V-shaped structure.

8. The vehicle (100) of claim 1, characterized in that the at least one first light source (220a) is disposed in front of the upper reflector member (206a) and the upper reflector member (206a) is designed according to a first set of curvatures.

9. The vehicle (100) of claim 1, characterized in that the at least one second light source (220b) is disposed in front of the lower reflector member (206b), and the lower reflector member (206b) is designed according to a second set of curvatures.

10. The vehicle (100) of claim 1, characterized in that the partition member (210) is disposed in a manner that overlaps the at least one first light source (220a) and the at least one second light source (220b) when viewed from a front side of the vehicle (100).

11. The vehicle (100) of claim 7, characterized in that the partition member (210) is mounted on the intermediate reflector member (206c) of the reflector assembly (208).

12. The vehicle (100) of claim 1, characterized in that the partition member (210) is integrally mounted on the outer lens (212).

13. The vehicle (100) of claim 1, wherein the partition member (210) limits light emission from the at least one first light source (220a) to an area of the at least one second light source (220b), and wherein the partition member (210) limits light emission from the at least one second light source (220b) to an area of the at least one first light source (220 a).

14. A direction indicator light comprising:

an outer base (202);

an outer lens (212) mounted on a front side of the outer base (202), wherein the outer lens (212) and the outer base (202) are configured to form a single compartment;

at least one second light source (220b) disposed on the lower surface (222) of the printed circuit board (220), the at least one second light source (220b) configured to illuminate for performing a function as a corner dark space eliminator based on a signal received from a tilt angle sensor;

a reflector assembly (208) comprising: