GB2468288A - Vehicle lighting with illuminated annular trim part - Google Patents
Vehicle lighting with illuminated annular trim part Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2468288A GB2468288A GB0903528A GB0903528A GB2468288A GB 2468288 A GB2468288 A GB 2468288A GB 0903528 A GB0903528 A GB 0903528A GB 0903528 A GB0903528 A GB 0903528A GB 2468288 A GB2468288 A GB 2468288A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- vehicle
- trim part
- light
- headlamp
- lamp assembly
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
- B60Q1/0029—Spatial arrangement
- B60Q1/0041—Spatial arrangement of several lamps in relation to each other
- B60Q1/0052—Spatial arrangement of several lamps in relation to each other concentric
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
- B60Q1/0064—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor with provision for maintenance, e.g. changing the light bulb
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
- B60Q1/02—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments
- B60Q1/04—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments the devices being headlights
- B60Q1/0408—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments the devices being headlights built into the vehicle body, e.g. details concerning the mounting of the headlamps on the vehicle body
- B60Q1/0466—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments the devices being headlights built into the vehicle body, e.g. details concerning the mounting of the headlamps on the vehicle body with arrangement for sealing the headlamp with respect to the vehicle body, or for concealling gaps between the headlamp and the vehicle body
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
- B60Q1/26—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic
- B60Q1/32—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic for indicating vehicle sides, e.g. clearance lights
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
- B60Q1/26—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic
- B60Q1/34—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic for indicating change of drive direction
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q2400/00—Special features or arrangements of exterior signal lamps for vehicles
- B60Q2400/30—Daytime running lights [DRL], e.g. circuits or arrangements therefor
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F21—LIGHTING
- F21Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO THE FORM OR THE KIND OF THE LIGHT SOURCES OR OF THE COLOUR OF THE LIGHT EMITTED
- F21Y2101/00—Point-like light sources
-
- F21Y2101/02—
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F21—LIGHTING
- F21Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO THE FORM OR THE KIND OF THE LIGHT SOURCES OR OF THE COLOUR OF THE LIGHT EMITTED
- F21Y2115/00—Light-generating elements of semiconductor light sources
- F21Y2115/10—Light-emitting diodes [LED]
Abstract
A trim part for a vehicle 10 comprising a generally annular body; means 110 for securing the body to an exterior surface of the vehicle 20; and one or more light sources 14, such as light-emitting diodes (LED), disposed in or on the body; wherein the body is arranged to be secured to the external surface of the vehicle so as to substantially encircle an aperture formed therein. A method is also claimed for the assembling of a lamp to a vehicle structure comprising: mounting of the lamp to the vehicle structure; locating a finisher around the light emitting surface of the assembly; and securing the finisher to the external surface of the vehicle so as to cover a gap 30 formed between the light emitting surface and the external surface of the vehicle.
Description
IMPROVEMENTS IN VEHICLE LIGHTING
Field of the invention
The present invention relates to an exterior light for a vehicle and in particular, to an illuminated finisher to surround a vehicle headlamp.
Background of the invention
It is known to provide a ring of low-intensity lights around the primary light source of a headlamp assembly for a motor vehicle. This ring of lights provides a decorative feature known as a halo' that is both appealing to the customer and highly visible to other road users, thus acting as a daylight running light. Such Halo-type' lamps are fitted to the vehicle as unitary component. These headlamp assemblies are typically fitted to the fender and grille to the sides and the bonnet and bumper above and below. In order to match the adjacent vehicle components and trim surfaces the headlamp assemblies are handed, i.e., the left hand part may only be fitted to the left side of the vehicle and the right hand part only to the right. This means that twice as many parts must be supplied to the vehicle assembly line than would be the case if the headlamp could be fitted to either side of the vehicle.
With Halo-type' lamps comprising the main headlamp light source and the annular light necessary in addition to other light sources such as turn signals etc, the lamp assembly is a complicated and costly part. In the event of damage or component failure, the entire lamp assembly must be replaced as a single part, which increases warranty costs and increases vehicle running costs.
It is against this background that the present invention seeks to improve upon the known Halo-type' lamps by providing a two-part headlamp assembly comprising a separate headlamp and illuminated finisher to provide the Halo feature.
Summary of the invention.
According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a trim part for a vehicle comprising: a generally annular body; means for securing the body to an exterior surface of the vehicle; and one or more light sources disposed in or on the body; wherein the body is arranged to be secured to the external surface of the vehicle so as to substantially encircle an aperture formed therein.
Advantageously, the trim part or finisher disguises gap & flush' tolerances between the headlamp and the vehicle and allows for a very simple, non-handed headlamp to be used which reduces complexity, mass and repair cost.
According to an embodiment, the trim part further comprising sealing means for providing a seal between the exterior surface of the vehicle and a lamp assembly disposed in the aperture.
Advantageously, the present invention allows the headlamp to be fitted to the vehicle independently from the finisher. The finisher is used to provide a seal around the edge of the headlamp to prevent the ingress of water and dirt.
Additionally, the seal also disguises any gap between the headlamp and the vehicle body or fascia into which the headlamp is mounted.
According to an embodiment, the one or more light sources comprises at least one LED.
Advantageously, LEDs are used in the trim part as they are well suited to this role due to their long service life and resilience to vibration. LEDs typically consume less power than an incandescent lamp and so produce less heat in use than incandescent lamps.
According to an embodiment, one or more light sources comprises at least one light guide arranged to guide light from a light emitting surface of a lamp assembly disposed in the aperture to an exterior surface of the body.
Advantageously, light guides may be used to provide a light output from the finisher without consuming any additional power or requiring any dedicated connection to the electrical harness of the vehicle. The light guide will cause the front face of the trim part to illuminate whenever when the headlamp is switched on.
A combination of LEDs and light guides may be used to provide points of light around the finisher of differing intensity or of different shape as shaping a light guide for a specific application may be more cost effective than manufacturing uniquely shaped LEDs According to an embodiment, one or more light sources is arranged to project light around at least one third of the circumference of an emitting surface of a lamp assembly disposed in the aperture.
According to an embodiment, at least one light source is arranged to emit light in a different colour to that emitted from a lamp assembly disposed in the aperture.
Advantageously, the means of illumination for the trim part need not necessarily encircle the headlamp to provide the desired effect. Each market has unique legislation regarding the intensity and positioning of side lights, side markers, daylight running lights or turn signals. The present invention may be readily adapted to suit the requirements for each market without changing the headlamp used as it is an independent part.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of assembling a lamp assembly to a vehicle structure. The method comprising: mounting a lamp assembly to the vehicle structure so as to permit a light emitting surface of the lamp assembly to project light through an aperture formed in an external surface of the structure; locating a finisher around the light emitting surface of the lamp assembly; and securing the finisher to the external surface of the vehicle so as to cover a gap formed between the light emitting surface and the external surface of the vehicle.
Advantageously, the method of assembling a lamp with a separate illuminated trim part or finisher allows for a very simple, non-handed headlamp to be used, reducing complexity, mass and scrap cost. If either the trim part of the headlamp is brought to the vehicle assembly line with a fault the cost of replacing that part is far less than with a Halo type' headlamp assembly of the known type.
The finisher of the present invention is particularly suited to vehicle applications where assembly and repair costs are to be kept to a minimum and where overall vehicle parts complexity is to be minimised. The trim part of the present invention may be arranged to fit the left or the right side of the vehicle simply by changing its orientation before assembling it to the vehicle. This is not possible with a Halo type' headlamp assembly of the known type.
It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the finisher of the present invention may be suitable for use in applications unrelated to vehicles.
It will also be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the preferred and/or optional features relating to the present invention may be used either alone or in appropriate combination.
Brief Description of the Drawings
In order that the invention may be more readily understood reference is made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is front perspective view of a vehicle comprising a trim part of the present invention; and Figures 2 shows a section view through a headlamp assembly and trim part of the present invention.
Referring to Figure 1, the trim part 10 of the present invention may be seen fitted to the front fascia 20 of a vehicle shown generally at 22. The trim part 10 is fitted around the light emitting surface 2 of a headlamp 1. The headlamp 1 is situated at the front of the vehicle adjacent to a fender panel 200.
Figure 2 shows how the trim part 10 of the present invention is assembled to the vehicle 22 relative to the fascia 20 and headlamp 1.
The present invention provides a vehicle with the Halo type' headlamp appearance without relying on an expensive and complex unitary headlamp cluster or assembly.
The present invention produces two-part headlamp assembly comprising a separate headlamp 1 and illuminated finisher or trim part 10. This trim part 10 conceals any gap & flush' tolerances between the headlamp and the bumper and allows for a very simple headlamp 1 to be used.
In the example shown in Figure 2, the headlamp 1 is fitted to the vehicle (not shown) independently from the trim part 10.
The trim part 10 is used to provide a seal around the edge of the headlamp 1 and to disguise any gap, shown generally at 30, between the headlamp 1 and the vehicle body or fascia 20 into which the headlamp 1 is mounted. In the example shown, the headlamp 1 is rear-mounted behind the fascia 20 and mounted via a bracket (not shown) to the vehicle (also not shown). The trim part 10 however, is front-loaded onto the fascia 20 via integral mounting means 110, such as clips, adhesive strip and/or screws.
The trim part 10 is fitted to the vehicle after the headlamp 1 has been fitted and is provided with mounting means 110 arranged to allow for a small amount of movement or float between the trim part 10 and the fascia 20. In this way, any tolerance between the headlamp 1, which is mounted to the vehicle, and the aperture in the fascia 20 through which the headlamp beam projects, is entirely accommodated and hidden from the user by the trim part 10.
The trim part 10 is provided with a plurality of lights 14 around the periphery of the front face of the trim part 10. These lights 14 provide the vehicle with an attractive decorative feature and may also perform the function of the side lights, daylight running lights or even turn signals or indicators which are required in some markets.
In the example shown the lights 14 used are light emitting diodes or LEDs which are arranged to emit a white light. The type of light source and the colour may be varied depending on the requirements of the vehicle or market, for example they may be configured to emit an orange or amber light in order to function as turn signals or side markets for the vehicle.
LEDs are especially suited to this role due to their long service life and resilience to vibration. LEDs typically require consume less power than an incandescent lamp and so produce less heat than would be the case if incandescent lamps were used in an array.
From the figure it may be seen that the trim part 10 locates around the periphery of the headlamp unit 1. The headlamp unit 1 is positioned so that it projects through an aperture in the fascia 20 and adjusted to aim the headlamp beam in a particular orientation relative to the road. As the headlamp 1 is secured to the vehicle body via a bracket (not shown) and the fascia 20 is mounted to the vehicle body via a separate bracket (also not shown), there is potential for tolerance stack-up between the headlamp 1 and the aperture in the fascia 20 through which the headlamp 1 protrudes. To disguise this, the trim part 10 is provided with a sealing surface 12 arranged for close co-operation with the headlamp 1. The sealing surface 12 fits tightly around the end of the headlamp unit 1 and is then pressed towards the fascia 20 by the assembly operator until the integral mounting means 110 engage with co-operating features in the fascia 20. The trim part 10 covers a sufficient area of the fascia 20 around the front of the headlamp 1 to disguise any variation between the centreline of the headlamp 1 and the centre of the fascia aperture.
The trim part 10 is provided with a tapered peripheral surface 40 arranged for close co-operation with the surface of the fascia 20. In this way, if the tolerance stack-up between the headlamp 1 and the fascia 20 has caused the trim part 10 to be slightly offset from the centreline of the fascia aperture, the tapered peripheral surfaces 40 will conceal it.
Another benefit of the present invention is that the surface of the trim part 10 may be readily and cost-effectively painted to match the vehicle colour which is not possible when the finisher feature is integrated into the headlamp unit.
In an alternative embodiment (not shown) there may be LEDs 14 of two or more different types positioned around the trim part 10. This may provide different light outputs to perform different tasks such as low output white LEDs to act as the side light and orange LEDs to act as the indicator. Alternatively, high output LEDs may be used to illuminate the edge of the road during cornering or reversing.
In a further embodiment (also not shown) the trim part 10 may be provided with both LEDs and light guides to augment the light output from the trim part 10 when the headlamp 1 is switched on. In this embodiment, the light guides are positioned around the edge of the headlamp 1 and are embedded within the sealing surface 12. Light is guided from the headlamp along the light guides to the front face of the trim part 10. This may be used to provide points of light around the trim part 10 of differing intensity or of different shape as shaping a light guide for a specific application may be more cost effective than manufacturing uniquely shaped LEDs.
Other advantage will be apparent to one skilled in the art and the present examples and embodiments are to be considered a illustrative and not restrictive.
The invention is not to be limited to the details given herein, but may be modified within the scope and equivalence of the appended claims.
Claims (8)
- CLAIMS1. A trim part for a vehicle comprising: a generally annular body; means for securing the body to an exterior surface of the vehicle; and one or more light sources disposed in or on the body; wherein the body is arranged to be secured to the external surface of the vehicle so as to substantially encircle an aperture formed therein.
- 2. A trim part according to claim 1 comprising seal means for providing a seal between the exterior surface of the vehicle and a lamp assembly disposed in the aperture.
- 3. A trim part according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the one or more light sources comprises at least one LED.
- 4. A trim part according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more light sources comprises at least one light guide arranged to guide light from a light emitting surface of a lamp assembly disposed in the aperture to an exterior surface of the body.
- 5. A trim part according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more light sources is arranged to project light around at least one third of the circumference of a emitting surface of a lamp assembly disposed in the aperture.
- 6. A trim part according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one light source is arranged to emit light in a different colour to that emitted from a lamp assembly disposed in the aperture.
- 7. A vehicle comprising a trim part according to any of the preceding claims.
- 8. A method of assembling a lamp assembly to a vehicle structure, the method comprising: mounting a lamp assembly to the vehicle structure so as to permit a light emitting surface of the lamp assembly to project light through an aperture formed in an external surface of the structure; locating a finisher around the light emitting surface of the lamp assembly; and securing the finisher to the external surface of the vehicle so as to cover a gap formed between the light emitting surface and the external surface of the vehicle.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB0903528A GB2468288A (en) | 2009-03-03 | 2009-03-03 | Vehicle lighting with illuminated annular trim part |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB0903528A GB2468288A (en) | 2009-03-03 | 2009-03-03 | Vehicle lighting with illuminated annular trim part |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
GB0903528D0 GB0903528D0 (en) | 2009-04-08 |
GB2468288A true GB2468288A (en) | 2010-09-08 |
Family
ID=40565976
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
GB0903528A Withdrawn GB2468288A (en) | 2009-03-03 | 2009-03-03 | Vehicle lighting with illuminated annular trim part |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
GB (1) | GB2468288A (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP2823996A1 (en) * | 2013-07-09 | 2015-01-14 | CLAAS Tractor SAS | Agricultural vehicle |
Citations (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2668902A (en) * | 1949-12-09 | 1954-02-09 | Fisher Nathan | Headlamp rim light |
US3759084A (en) * | 1969-08-28 | 1973-09-18 | A Plewka | Headlamps of vehicles |
US6471368B1 (en) * | 2001-09-26 | 2002-10-29 | Yu-Chu Lin | Secondary alert light for motor vehicles |
US20030174509A1 (en) * | 2002-03-15 | 2003-09-18 | Stanley Electric Co., Ltd. | Headlight |
JP2004349054A (en) * | 2003-05-21 | 2004-12-09 | S S Ltd:Kk | Lighting device for vehicle and confirmation light for vehicle |
WO2005089293A2 (en) * | 2004-03-15 | 2005-09-29 | Color Kinetics Incorporated | Methods and systems for providing lighting systems |
US20060291234A1 (en) * | 2005-06-13 | 2006-12-28 | Chiang Charlie F | Vehicle having an auxiliary illuminating function |
-
2009
- 2009-03-03 GB GB0903528A patent/GB2468288A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2668902A (en) * | 1949-12-09 | 1954-02-09 | Fisher Nathan | Headlamp rim light |
US3759084A (en) * | 1969-08-28 | 1973-09-18 | A Plewka | Headlamps of vehicles |
US6471368B1 (en) * | 2001-09-26 | 2002-10-29 | Yu-Chu Lin | Secondary alert light for motor vehicles |
US20030174509A1 (en) * | 2002-03-15 | 2003-09-18 | Stanley Electric Co., Ltd. | Headlight |
JP2004349054A (en) * | 2003-05-21 | 2004-12-09 | S S Ltd:Kk | Lighting device for vehicle and confirmation light for vehicle |
WO2005089293A2 (en) * | 2004-03-15 | 2005-09-29 | Color Kinetics Incorporated | Methods and systems for providing lighting systems |
US20060291234A1 (en) * | 2005-06-13 | 2006-12-28 | Chiang Charlie F | Vehicle having an auxiliary illuminating function |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP2823996A1 (en) * | 2013-07-09 | 2015-01-14 | CLAAS Tractor SAS | Agricultural vehicle |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
GB0903528D0 (en) | 2009-04-08 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |