US20100195344A1 - Prism equipped illumination unit for vehicle - Google Patents
Prism equipped illumination unit for vehicle Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20100195344A1 US20100195344A1 US12/688,097 US68809710A US2010195344A1 US 20100195344 A1 US20100195344 A1 US 20100195344A1 US 68809710 A US68809710 A US 68809710A US 2010195344 A1 US2010195344 A1 US 2010195344A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- prism
- illumination unit
- light
- opening
- light emitting
- 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.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 238000005286 illumination Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 44
- 239000011347 resin Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920005989 resin Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000000758 substrate Substances 0.000 description 9
- 230000004313 glare Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000007689 inspection Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000465 moulding Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
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
- B60Q3/00—Arrangement of lighting devices for vehicle interiors; Lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle interiors
- B60Q3/70—Arrangement of lighting devices for vehicle interiors; Lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle interiors characterised by the purpose
- B60Q3/76—Arrangement of lighting devices for vehicle interiors; Lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle interiors characterised by the purpose for spotlighting, e.g. reading lamps
-
- 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
- B60Q3/00—Arrangement of lighting devices for vehicle interiors; Lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle interiors
- B60Q3/70—Arrangement of lighting devices for vehicle interiors; Lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle interiors characterised by the purpose
- B60Q3/74—Arrangement of lighting devices for vehicle interiors; Lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle interiors characterised by the purpose for overall compartment lighting; for overall compartment lighting in combination with specific lighting, e.g. room lamps with reading lamps
Abstract
An illumination unit for a vehicle comprising: a light emitting element; an outer housing including an opening, on which the light emitting element is mounted; a prism disposed between the light emitting element and the opening, the prism including a tip portion which is disposed at the opening, a body portion which continues from the tip portion, a flange portion which continues from the body portion, and a stage at a boundary between the tip portion and the body portion.
Description
- This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-025014 filed on Feb. 5, 2009 and the entire subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference.
- The present invention relates to an illumination unit for a vehicle, and particularly relates to an illumination unit for a vehicle which is equipped with a down light prism.
- A related illumination unit for a vehicle described in JP-U-H05-12282 is aimed at outputting spindly spot light and preventing glare. For this purpose, the related illumination unit includes a cover having a slit and a lens having a convex portion. Since the convex portion of the lens is inserted into the slit of the cover, light emitted from a light source passes the convex portion and is output as the spindly spot light from a designed surface. Also, the related illumination unit includes a light diffusive element provided on an outer surface of the convex portion and an inner surface of the slit in order to prevent glare.
- The related illumination unit, however, requires a short distance between the light source and the lens. On the other hand, in a case where the light source is mounted on a substrate, a distance between the light source and the designed surface becomes long. That is why the light source is not able to be mounted on the substrate in the related art.
- The applicant conceived another related illumination unit in order to address the above described problem.
FIG. 3 is an expanded perspective view of the related illumination unit for a vehicle. In this related illumination unit, a light source is able to be mounted on a substrate by extending the distance between the light source and a lens with a prism. Therelated illumination unit 100 includes asubstrate 20, a downlight prism 35, anouter housing 45, and atripled switch knob 50 in this order from upside. Thesubstrate 20, the down light prism 35 (herein after referred to as prism), and thetripled switch knob 50 are mounted on theouter housing 45. On thesubstrate 20, alight emitting element 20L (in this example, a light emitting diode: LED) is mounted. - In a case where the
LED 20L is mounted on thesubstrate 20, theLED 20L is mounted with switches or the like. Since the switches are larger in size thanLED 20L, a position of theLED 20L on thesubstrate 20 is distant from a designed surface where an emission hole is provided. Therefore, theprism 35 guides the light emitted fromLED 20L to the emission hole in order to downsize the emission hole. - However, according to the result of industrious inspections with respect to the above described related illumination unit in which the prism guides the emitted light, the applicant found that there is an illumination unevenness in the illuminated area due to light directed in an unexpected direction.
- The present invention addresses the above described problem. For a prism equipped illumination unit in which an LED is mounted on the substrate and the prism guide the light emitted from a LED, the present invention prevents the light from directing in an unexpected direction and thereby prevents an illumination unevenness in the illuminated area.
- An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is An illumination unit for a vehicle including a light emitting element; an outer housing including an opening, on which the light emitting element is mounted; a prism disposed between the light emitting element and the opening, the prism including a tip portion which is disposed at the opening, a body portion which continues from the tip portion, a flange portion which continues from the body portion, and a stage at a boundary between the tip portion and the body portion.
- According to the above described embodiment of the present invention, since light reflected by the prism at the stage does not direct toward the opening, the light directed in an unexpected direction can be prevented. Thus, the illumination unevenness can be prevented. Also, since the shape of the prism enables worker to easily handle the prism, workability is improved as compared to a small cylindrical prism of the related art.
- According to another aspect of the embodiment, the stage of the prism has a rectangular box shape. By virtue of the rectangular box shape, the prism does not roll even if put on an inclined place. Therefore, the workability during assembling of the illumination unit is improved.
- According to another aspect of the embodiment, the integral molding of the prism makes it easy to form the prism for preventing random reflection.
-
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an illumination unit for a vehicle according to the present invention. -
FIG. 2 is a vertical-section of the assembled illumination unit shown inFIG. 1 . The vertical-section passes the prism. -
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a related illumination unit for a vehicle. -
FIG. 4 is a vertical-section of the assembled illumination unit shown inFIG. 3 passing the prism. - Below the exemplary embodiment of the present invention is explained with reference to the drawings.
- Industrious examinations performed by the applicant revealed that an origin of the illumination unevenness in the illuminated area is a shape of a prism used for the related illumination unit shown in
FIG. 3 . The mechanism is explained with reference toFIG. 4 . -
FIG. 4 is a vertical-section of the assembled illumination unit shown inFIG. 3 . The vertical-section passes the prism. InFIG. 4 , three lines L1-L3 shows light L1 to L3 emitted from a light emitting diode (LED) 20L. The downwardly directed light L1 passes theprism 35 from the upside to the downside and is output from the opening 45K of theouter housing 45 to a predetermined illuminated area. The inclined light L2 barely passes theprism 35 from the upside to the downside and is output from the opening 45K of theouter housing 45 to a predetermined illuminated area. The light L3 which is emitted in a direction largely inclined to theprism 35 as compared to light L2 is in a different situation. Although the light L3 is input the prism from the upside, the light L3 is reflected atside surface 45 L of thecylindrical prism 35. Then the Light L3 is output from the opening 45K of theouter housing 45 while crossing the corner of the opening 45K with a large angle. Therefore, the light L3 is output in a direction totally different from the direction toward the predetermined illuminated area. That is the light L3 is deviated light. - Thus the origin of the illumination unevenness in the illuminated area is the deviation of light guided by the
prism 35 in an unexpected direction due to the reflection at the side surface of theprism 35. - The shape of the
prism 30 used for the exemplary embodiment of the present invention is explained below. -
FIG. 2 is a vertical-section of the assembled illumination unit shown inFIG. 1 . The vertical section passes the prism. Theprism 30 includes a tip portion 30 c, abody portion 30R, and aflange portion 30B. Thetip portion 30C is positioned in the vicinity of an opening 40K of anouter housing 40. In the exemplary embodiment thetip portion 30C has a cylindrical shape. Thebody portion 30R continues from thetip portion 30C so that a boundary between thebody portion 30R and thetip portion 30C has astage 40L. In the exemplary embodiment, thebody portion 30R has a rectangular box shape. Thestage 40L has a predetermined width “a” and a predetermined height “b” as indicated inFIG. 2 . Theflange portion 30B continues from a side of thebody portion 30R facing to alight emitting element 20L. Theflange portion 30B is used for assembling theprism 30 to theouter housing 40. Since thetip portion 30C, the body portion, and theflange portion 30B are integrally formed from same resin material, the manufacturing cost for theprism 30 is not so high. Therefore, the manufacturing of theprism 30 is easy. - In this exemplary embodiment, the stage at the boundary between the
body portion 30R and thetip portion 30C is configured that the width “a” is larger than a half of a distance between the side surface of the body portion and an axis through theLED 20L and a center of theopening 40K. Also, it may be possible to configure the stage so that the height “b” is larger than a quarter of a distance between theLED 20L and theopening 40K. - Next, the reason why the illumination unevenness in the illuminated area is prevented in the exemplary embodiment using the
prism 30 is explained in below. InFIG. 2 , lines L1-L5 shows light L1˜L5, each of which are emitted from the light emitting diode (LED) 20L in each different directions. The downwardly directed light L1 passes theprism 30 from the upside to the downside and is output from theopening 40K of theouter housing 40 to a predetermined illuminated area. The inclined light L2 barely passes theprism 30 from the upside to the downside and is output from theopening 40K of theouter housing 40 to a predetermined illuminated area. - In contrast, the light L3-L5 reaching the
stage 40L are transmitted in the following manner. The light L3 output in an inclined direction reaches thestage 40L of theprism 30. The light L3 is reflected at thestage 40L and directed in an upward direction. Thus, the light L3 is not directed in the direction toward theopening 40K. Therefore, even if light guided by theprism 30 is reflected in theprism 30, the light is not output from theopening 40K. That is the reason why the illumination unevenness in the illuminated area is prevented. - The light L4, which is output in more inclined direction than the inclined direction of the light L3, reaches the side surface of the
body portion 30R. The light L4 is reflected at the side surface and is directed in a downward direction so as to reach thestage 40L. Then, the light L4 is reflected at thestage 40L and is directed in an upward direction. Thus, as same as the light L3, the light L4 is not output from theopening 40K. Therefore, the illumination unevenness in the illuminated area is prevented. - The light L5, which is output in more inclined direction than the inclined direction of the light L4, reaches the side surface of the
body portion 30R. The light L5 is reflected at the side surface and is directed in a downward direction. After that, the light L5 reaches a side surface of theouter housing 40 and is absorbed by theouter housing 40. Thus, the light L5 is not output from theopening 40K. Therefore, the illumination unevenness in the illuminated area is prevented. - As described above, even though the light L3-L5, each of which is emitted from
LED 20L in an inclined direction, reach thestage 40L of theprism 30, the light L3-L5 are not directed in a direction toward theopening 40K of theouter housing 40K. Therefore, the illumination unevenness is prevented. - Although the
body portion 30R of the exemplary embodiment has a rectangular box shape, the body portion may have a cylinder shape. In this configuration, the prism includes a first portion of a first radius, a second portion of a second radius, and a third portion of a third radius. The first, second, and third radiuses are different from each other. The stage is, for example, form at a boundary between the first and the second portion because of the radiuses difference. Preferably, the difference is determined so that the difference between the first and the second radiuses is larger than a half of a distance between a side surface of the second portion and an axis of the cylindrical prism. - While the present invention has been shown and described with reference to certain exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
Claims (9)
1. An illumination unit for a vehicle comprising:
a light emitting element;
an outer housing including an opening, on which the light emitting element is mounted;
a prism disposed between the light emitting element and the opening, the prism including a tip portion which is disposed at the opening, a body portion which continues from the tip portion, a flange portion which continues from the body portion, and a stage at a boundary between the tip portion and the body portion.
2. The illumination unit for a vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the stage is configured to reflect light emitted from the light emitting element toward a side surface of the body portion.
3. The illumination unit for a vehicle according to claim 2 , wherein the prism has a cylindrical shape.
4. The illumination unit for a vehicle according to claim 2 , wherein a height of the stage is larger than a quarter of a distance between the opening and the light emitting element.
5. The illumination unit for a vehicle according to claim 2 , wherein a width of the stage is larger than a half of a distance between the side surface of the body portion and an axis through the light emitting element and a center of the opening.
6. The illumination unit for a vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the body portion has a rectangular box shape.
7. The illumination unit for a vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the prism is formed integrally from a same resin.
8. An illumination unit for a vehicle comprising:
a light emitting element;
an outer housing including an opening, on which the light emitting element is mounted;
a cylindrical prism disposed between the light emitting element and the opening, the prism including a first portion of a first radius, a second portion of a second radius, and a third portion of a third radius,
wherein the first, the second, and the third radiuses are different from each other.
9. The illumination unit according to claim 8 , wherein one of the differences between the first, second, and third radiuses is larger than a half of a distance between a side surface of the second portion and an axis of the cylindrical prism.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2009025014A JP5424457B2 (en) | 2009-02-05 | 2009-02-05 | Lighting fixture for vehicle with prism |
JP2009-025014 | 2009-02-05 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20100195344A1 true US20100195344A1 (en) | 2010-08-05 |
Family
ID=42397566
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/688,096 Active 2030-05-03 US8568008B2 (en) | 2009-02-05 | 2010-01-15 | Prism equipped illumination unit for vehicle |
US12/688,097 Abandoned US20100195344A1 (en) | 2009-02-05 | 2010-01-15 | Prism equipped illumination unit for vehicle |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/688,096 Active 2030-05-03 US8568008B2 (en) | 2009-02-05 | 2010-01-15 | Prism equipped illumination unit for vehicle |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US8568008B2 (en) |
JP (1) | JP5424457B2 (en) |
CN (1) | CN101799141B (en) |
DE (1) | DE102010001526B4 (en) |
Families Citing this family (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP5589930B2 (en) * | 2011-03-30 | 2014-09-17 | 豊田合成株式会社 | Lighting device |
US10151461B2 (en) * | 2017-02-06 | 2018-12-11 | apure holding llc | Lighting device and lighting assembly |
US10197254B2 (en) * | 2017-02-09 | 2019-02-05 | Walthill Opportunities, L.L.C. | Strut light system with integrated light source |
Citations (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6283621B1 (en) * | 1999-06-04 | 2001-09-04 | Asc Industries, Inc. | Vehicle interior lamp assembly adapted for use with recreational vehicles, outfitted vans, shuttlebuses and the like |
US6948838B2 (en) * | 2002-01-15 | 2005-09-27 | Fer Fahrzeugelektrik Gmbh | Vehicle lamp having prismatic element |
US20060245200A1 (en) * | 2005-04-28 | 2006-11-02 | Kabushiki Kaisha T An T | Touch sensor operated vehicle room lamp to be turned on and off |
US20060291224A1 (en) * | 2005-06-28 | 2006-12-28 | Ricky England | Interchangeable flashlight-cargo lamp system |
US20070014121A1 (en) * | 2005-07-13 | 2007-01-18 | Andres Yepes Gomez | Detachable light for vehicle interiors |
US20070195548A1 (en) * | 2006-02-17 | 2007-08-23 | Bwt Property, Inc. | Light Emitting Panel for Medical Applications |
US20070236956A1 (en) * | 2006-03-31 | 2007-10-11 | Gelcore, Llc | Super bright LED power package |
US7370995B2 (en) * | 2006-05-04 | 2008-05-13 | International Automotive Components Group North America, Inc. | Console and light assembly |
US7422352B2 (en) * | 2004-10-25 | 2008-09-09 | Kabushiki Kaisha Imasen Denki Seisakusho | Vehicle console device |
US20090262537A1 (en) * | 2008-04-22 | 2009-10-22 | Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co., Ltd. | Indicator light |
US7775693B2 (en) * | 2008-06-24 | 2010-08-17 | Honda Motor Co., Ltd. | Vehicle interior light assembly |
Family Cites Families (14)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1514653A (en) * | 1921-08-17 | 1924-11-11 | Allen D Cardwell | Tail light |
US1936297A (en) * | 1931-03-14 | 1933-11-21 | Gen Railway Signal Co | Light signal unit |
JPS611540Y2 (en) * | 1980-08-14 | 1986-01-20 | ||
JPH0714069Y2 (en) * | 1991-08-05 | 1995-04-05 | 市光工業株式会社 | Vehicle lighting |
TW414327U (en) * | 2000-03-17 | 2000-12-01 | Optoma Corp | Dust-free structure for integration pillar of projector |
JP4013536B2 (en) * | 2001-12-11 | 2007-11-28 | 豊田合成株式会社 | Lighting device |
DE10331075B4 (en) | 2003-07-09 | 2009-02-26 | Diehl Aerospace Gmbh | Luminous element with a light source |
DE10331076B4 (en) | 2003-07-09 | 2011-04-07 | Airbus Operations Gmbh | Luminous element with a light emitting diode |
US7215863B1 (en) * | 2006-04-27 | 2007-05-08 | International Business Machines Corporation | Light pipe optical coupling utilizing convex-shaped light pipe end |
JP2008120210A (en) * | 2006-11-10 | 2008-05-29 | Inoac Corp | Lighting equipment |
JP4837626B2 (en) * | 2007-06-22 | 2011-12-14 | スタンレー電気株式会社 | Automotive interior lights |
DE102007029140B4 (en) | 2007-06-25 | 2009-10-01 | Airbus Deutschland Gmbh | Interior trim panel having at least one lighting element and method of making such an interior trim panel |
JP2009025014A (en) | 2007-07-17 | 2009-02-05 | Konica Minolta Medical & Graphic Inc | Reaction detection device and microchip inspection system |
JP5524476B2 (en) * | 2008-12-02 | 2014-06-18 | 小島プレス工業株式会社 | Map lamp for vehicles |
-
2009
- 2009-02-05 JP JP2009025014A patent/JP5424457B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2010
- 2010-01-15 US US12/688,096 patent/US8568008B2/en active Active
- 2010-01-15 US US12/688,097 patent/US20100195344A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2010-01-22 CN CN201010100035.4A patent/CN101799141B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2010-02-03 DE DE102010001526.1A patent/DE102010001526B4/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6283621B1 (en) * | 1999-06-04 | 2001-09-04 | Asc Industries, Inc. | Vehicle interior lamp assembly adapted for use with recreational vehicles, outfitted vans, shuttlebuses and the like |
US6948838B2 (en) * | 2002-01-15 | 2005-09-27 | Fer Fahrzeugelektrik Gmbh | Vehicle lamp having prismatic element |
US7422352B2 (en) * | 2004-10-25 | 2008-09-09 | Kabushiki Kaisha Imasen Denki Seisakusho | Vehicle console device |
US20060245200A1 (en) * | 2005-04-28 | 2006-11-02 | Kabushiki Kaisha T An T | Touch sensor operated vehicle room lamp to be turned on and off |
US20060291224A1 (en) * | 2005-06-28 | 2006-12-28 | Ricky England | Interchangeable flashlight-cargo lamp system |
US20070014121A1 (en) * | 2005-07-13 | 2007-01-18 | Andres Yepes Gomez | Detachable light for vehicle interiors |
US20070195548A1 (en) * | 2006-02-17 | 2007-08-23 | Bwt Property, Inc. | Light Emitting Panel for Medical Applications |
US20070236956A1 (en) * | 2006-03-31 | 2007-10-11 | Gelcore, Llc | Super bright LED power package |
US7370995B2 (en) * | 2006-05-04 | 2008-05-13 | International Automotive Components Group North America, Inc. | Console and light assembly |
US20090262537A1 (en) * | 2008-04-22 | 2009-10-22 | Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co., Ltd. | Indicator light |
US7775693B2 (en) * | 2008-06-24 | 2010-08-17 | Honda Motor Co., Ltd. | Vehicle interior light assembly |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US20100195343A1 (en) | 2010-08-05 |
JP5424457B2 (en) | 2014-02-26 |
DE102010001526A1 (en) | 2010-10-07 |
JP2010182534A (en) | 2010-08-19 |
DE102010001526B4 (en) | 2016-03-31 |
CN101799141A (en) | 2010-08-11 |
CN101799141B (en) | 2014-06-11 |
US8568008B2 (en) | 2013-10-29 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
JP4089692B2 (en) | Lens parts, signal indicator display unit and signal indicator | |
US7990584B2 (en) | Rod-shaped light guide and image reading device | |
JP5947706B2 (en) | Turn mirror for vehicle outer mirror | |
EP2353937A1 (en) | Vehicle lamp | |
US7370994B2 (en) | Collimating lens for LED lamp | |
US10996450B2 (en) | Arrangement of a TIR body | |
JP5954600B2 (en) | Signal indicator | |
US8568008B2 (en) | Prism equipped illumination unit for vehicle | |
JP5867365B2 (en) | Illuminated storage box | |
US20120140482A1 (en) | Lens and semiconductor light-emitting element module using same | |
JP2012025362A (en) | Indoor light for vehicle | |
JP2021146993A (en) | Illumination lamp | |
US9336966B2 (en) | Indicator lamp | |
WO2019155855A1 (en) | Limited reflection type sensor | |
JP6218781B2 (en) | Light source unit and lighting device | |
US7826107B2 (en) | Scanning device with a fastening unit for fastening a sensing unit to a scanner body | |
JP2014227013A (en) | Vehicle roof structure | |
US20080094836A1 (en) | LED lighting device | |
JP2014136529A (en) | License plate lighting device | |
JP6241599B2 (en) | Lighting device | |
JP7088893B2 (en) | Line lighting equipment | |
JP2021026993A (en) | Light-emitting device, lighting device, and optical member | |
JP2016184548A (en) | Vehicular lighting fixture | |
JP2020061204A (en) | Vehicular lighting tool | |
WO2016088390A1 (en) | Illumination device and vehicular illumination device |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |