JP2002274256A - Lighting ring - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lighting ring capable of uniformly distributing light provided on the exposed outer surface of the lighting ring. SOLUTION: The outer surface 10 and a light diffusion part 4 are installed, and the light diffusion part 4 has a gradually changing angle profile 4a for facilitating the transmission of light proceeding from a light source 5 to the outer surface 10.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to lighting rings for use in the ignition shaft area of a vehicle.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An illumination ring is used in combination with a light source to illuminate an area around a rocking shaft into which an ignition key is inserted. This lighting ring makes it easier for a driver to get into the car in the dark to find the exact position to insert the ignition key in the dark.

Prior art lighting rings, also known as light rings, use small light gloves or a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) as described in US Pat. No. 5,039,832. Light from such light sources is generally refracted along the light ring housing to provide illumination to the surface of the light ring that is exposed to the outside, so as to make the ignition keyhole visible to the driver. . Usually, a non-uniform distribution of light in the illumination ring is created, because the light source is located closer to the other side of the exposed surface than the other side, and the light level on the exposed surface This is because a difference is caused.

[0004]

It is an object of the present invention to provide a lighting ring in which the light provided on the exposed outer surface of the lighting ring is more evenly distributed.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a light diffusing unit having a varying angle profile such that the angle of the light diffusing unit with respect to the outer surface varies according to the distance of the corresponding part of the light diffusing unit from the light source. Solved by topographical features.

The present invention provides that an outer surface and a light diffusing portion are provided, the light diffusing portion having a graded angle profile for facilitating transmission of light from the light source toward the outer surface. Provide a featured lighting ring.

The present invention further provides an exterior surface for transmitting light from a light source located near the illumination ring when the illumination ring is used, and a light diffusion for facilitating transmission of light from the light source to the exterior surface. Wherein the angle of the light diffusing portion with respect to the outer surface changes according to the distance of the corresponding portion of the light diffusing portion from the light source. I will provide a.

It is to be understood that the term "gradient" as used above to describe the angular profile has a broad meaning, which does not necessarily mean stepped Includes non-constant or changing types of angular profiles, not limited to gradual types. However, it is advantageous if the grading of the angular profile changes smoothly, to a gentler angle as the light source is approached, and to a steeper angle as the light source is moved away.

Advantageously, the light diffuser comprises a substantially triangular or a plurality of triangular diffusing surfaces. Advantageously, the illumination ring is formed from polycarbonate, acrylic or the like.

[0010] Advantageously, the illumination ring with the graded angular profile of the light diffuser is more uniform on the outer surface of the light ring by directing more light to the outer surface in the part of the light diffuser further away from the light source. High brightness (compared to prior art lighting rings). This feature is associated with a correspondingly reduced delta lightness level.

[0011] Advantageously, the light ring is used in combination with one light source. Advantageously, this light source is an LED. Advantageously, the LED is a directional LED having a beam width of about 15 degrees.

Further features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION An illumination ring 2 is shown in FIG. 1 and has an annular diffuser 4 in its internal area for receiving light from a light source 5. Annular diffusion part 4
Includes a graded portion or graded angle profile 4a and a flat portion 4b for receiving light and directing the light toward the exposed outer surface 10 of the illumination ring 2. The width and angle of the gradual portion 4a vary with respect to the distance from the light source 5.
This relationship is described in more detail below with reference to FIGS. Like the gradual portion 4a, the flat portion 4b has a substantially triangular light diffusing surface arranged radially toward the central well 9 of the illumination ring 2. Alternatively, these light diffusing surfaces may be corrugated or sawtoothed and are provided along an annular diffuser to facilitate refraction of light toward the exposed outer surface 10. Any other suitably formed irregularities may be used.

The illumination ring 2 accommodates a locking shaft (not shown) through the central well 9 by a loose fit with the inner wall 8 and has a gap of about 0.5 mm.

Illumination ring 2 is formed of transparent polycarbonate, acrylic or other suitable similar material for use as a light transmissive illumination ring.

Light is emitted with directivity from a light source 5 shown in FIG. 1 as an LED, and part of the light is emitted directly to the annular diffuser 4. The remaining light emitted from the light source 5 is indirectly refracted into the light channel 11 or is lost without being used. The light channels 11 are connected to the rest of the illumination ring 2 at a plurality of points along the outer wall 7 and near the light source 5. A substantially circumferential gap 23 between the light channel 11 and the rest of the illumination ring 2
Effectively defines an inner ring portion (effectively the same as the optical channel 11) and an outer ring portion 21 on each side of these gaps 23. Optical channel 11
The purpose of is to capture the light refracted by the annular diffuser 4 or other parts of the optical channel 11, facilitating the diffusion of light towards the exposed outer surface 10 and light transmitted through the exposed outer surface 10. . An internal proximal diffuser 16 is provided adjacent to the triangular prism 17 near the light source 5 to assist in directing light from the light source 5 to the light channel 11. This triangular prism 17 also transmits light to the optical channel 11.
Assist in turning to An external proximal diffuser 18 is provided on the back side of the illumination ring 2 (see FIG. 5), which further facilitates the refraction of light passing through the triangular prism 17 to the light channel 11. A rear wall 12 and a side wall 13 are provided surrounding the rear and sides of the light source 5 to assist in directing light to the optical channel 11 by reflection.

The inner and outer proximal diffusers 16,18
Are formed with ridges for assisting refraction. The ridges formed as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5 show sharp ridges and depressions as an advantageous embodiment. However, any other suitable patterned or textured surface may be used as appropriate to facilitate refraction and diffusion of light toward light channel 11.

Another means for directing light to the exposed outer surface 10 of the light channel 11 is provided by the window 6. Window 6
Helps maintain internal reflection into optical channel 11 and
It is located in the optical channel 11 on one side near the proximal diffuser 16 and on the other side near the annular diffuser 4. Light traveling from the triangular prism 17 toward the optical channel 11 travels along the exterior of the optical channel 11
May be refracted toward the distal region of As used herein, proximal is defined as being proximal to the light source;
Thus, distal refers to a region remote from the light source.

The main feature of the illumination ring 2 is the different angular arrangement of the gradual portions 4a provided over the entire annular diffusion portion 4. In addition to this feature, the width of the graded portion 4a along the distal end of the light channel 11 is reduced. The change in angular arrangement and the change in width provided along this annular diffuser 4 assist in providing a more uniform distribution of the light refracted towards the exposed outer surface 10, thereby enabling the driver of the motor vehicle. A more uniform light emission is provided along the illumination ring as can be seen. Advantageous angles and widths of the ramp 4a are shown in Table 1 below with respect to FIGS.

[0020]

[Table 1]

The values of the angle and length between the position G and the position A shown in FIG. 2 are constant in the clockwise direction. Although the values shown in the table are for the advantageous profile of the grading section 4a, these values may be slightly increased or decreased to suit a particular application. The angle of the gradual portion 4a is determined with respect to a substantially horizontal surface on which the annular surface 15 (see FIG. 6) of the optical channel 11 is located. Flat part 4b is gradually changing part 4a
In the portion of the annular diffusion portion 4 surrounding the outside, the width of the gradual portion 4a indicated by reference numeral Y in FIG. 6 does not include any width of the flat portion 4b. The angle of the gradual portion 4a is indicated by the reference symbol X.
FIG.

An advantageous light source 5 for an embodiment of the invention is:
It is a directional LED having a beam width of about 15 degrees. An example of such an LED is model number LT from Osram.
5413 VBW. In an alternative embodiment, such an LED may be used with one or more other light sources. These other light sources may be LEDs, globe lights or other suitable light sources.

FIG. 7 shows an arrangement of an illumination ring (indicated by reference numeral 2 ') with a light source 5' of a different arrangement than for example the embodiment of FIG. The light source 5 'shown in FIG. 7 is not arranged in a horizontal direction (horizontal direction perpendicular to) the arrangement plane of the illumination ring as shown in FIG. Is pointed along. For the sake of simplicity, not all of the components of the illumination ring 2 'are shown in FIG. Gap 23, internal and external proximal diffusions 16,
Any or all of the features of the lighting ring shown in FIG. 1, such as 18, window 6, rear wall 12 and side wall 13, may be provided on the lighting ring 2 ′.

In another alternative embodiment, the angular arrangement of the light source with respect to the plane of arrangement of the illumination ring may be such that the light source is inclined at an acute angle. In such an embodiment, the inner and outer proximal diffusers 16, 18 and other refractive auxiliary and reflective structures of the illumination ring are correspondingly modified to functionally direct light to the optical channel 11. Is done.

The gradual portion 4a of the annular diffusion portion of the illumination ring 2 '
The angle and width of the flat part 4b are shown in FIG.
Is similar to that described above.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an illumination ring according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a similar perspective view showing the illumination ring of FIG. 1, but particularly with respect to the varying angular arrangement of the annular diffusion of the illumination ring.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 1, showing the annular diffuser in detail.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 1 showing in detail the area of the illumination ring in which the light source is accommodated.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another side of the lighting ring shown in FIG. 1 in an orientation consistent with normal use of the lighting ring.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the light channel of the illumination ring showing the angular arrangement and width of the annular diffuser.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an alternative LED mounting direction with respect to the illumination ring.

[Explanation of symbols]

2, 2 'illumination ring, 4 diffusing part, 4a gradually changing part, 4b flat part, 5, 5' light source, 6
Window, 7 outer wall, 8 inner wall, 9 central well, 10
Exterior, 11 light channels, 12 rear wall, 13
Sidewalls, 15 annular surface, 16 internal proximal diffusion,
17 Triangular prism, 18 External proximal diffuser,
21 outer ring part, 23 gap

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Simon Farrell Australia Victoria Lena Place Wheelos Hill 6F Term (Reference) 3K040 CA05 EA01 EA03 EB01 GC11 HA05

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. An illumination ring (2) provided with an outer surface (10) and a light diffusing portion (4), wherein the light diffusing portion (4) is arranged such that a light source (5) transmits the light to the outer surface (1).
An illumination ring, characterized by having a graded angular profile (4a) for facilitating the transmission of light towards 0). 2. An illumination ring (2) for transmitting light from a light source (5) arranged adjacent to the illumination ring (2) when the illumination ring (2) is in use. ) And said light source (5) to said outer surface (10).
And a light diffusing portion (4) for facilitating the transmission of light to the light source (5), wherein the angle of the light diffusing portion (4) with respect to the outer surface (10) is Characterized in that it changes according to the distance of the corresponding part (4a) of the light diffusing part (4) from the light ring. 3. The illumination ring according to claim 1, wherein the light diffuser comprises a plurality of substantially triangular diffuser surfaces. 4. The illumination ring according to claim 1, wherein the illumination ring is made of transparent polycarbonate, acrylic or the like. 5. The lighting ring (2) comprises one LED
3. The illumination ring according to claim 1, which is used in combination with a light source (5). 6. The illumination ring according to claim 1, wherein the LED is a directional LED having a beam width of about 15 degrees. 7. The light source (5) is oriented on the outer surface (1).
7. The method according to claim 1, which is substantially transverse to the plane of 0).
The illumination ring according to any one of the above. 8. The light source (5) is oriented in the outer surface (1).
7. The illumination ring according to claim 1, which is substantially parallel to the plane of 0). 9. An inner ring part (11) of the illumination ring (2) is separated from the outer ring part (21) by one or more gaps (23) between these ring parts (11, 21). 9. The illumination ring according to claim 1, wherein the illumination ring is at least partially separated by a).