Abstract:
A vehicle may include an engine, a housing, a lighting assembly and a conduit. The engine propels the vehicle. The housing is mounted to a body of the vehicle and includes an airflow passageway extending through the housing. The lighting assembly is mounted to the housing, defines an air inlet of the airflow passageway and is configured to emit a light pattern in response to receipt of electrical current. The conduit may be connected to the airflow passageway for fluid communication therebetween. The conduit may receive air from the air inlet and may provide the air to the engine for combustion within the engine.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    The present disclosure relates to a headlamp and air-induction system. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Vehicles with internal combustion engines include an air-induction system that draws air into the engine. This air mixes with fuel, and the air/fuel mixture is combusted within a cylinder of the engine. Energy from such combustion can drive a piston within the cylinder, which in turn, can drive a driveshaft of the vehicle. The driveshaft can power the wheels of the vehicle. 
         [0003]    Vehicle aesthetics and performance are often competing design factors. Often, design compromises are made that detract from a desired look and/or a desired function. Exterior vehicle lighting has become an aesthetic design focus for many modern vehicles. While typical exterior vehicle lighting assemblies perform many functions, those functions do not include engine aspiration. The present disclosure provides an exterior lighting assembly that defines an inlet of an air-induction system in a manner that does not compromise aesthetics or performance. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    The present disclosure provides a vehicle that may include an engine, a housing, a lighting assembly and a conduit. The engine propels the vehicle, The housing may be mounted to a body of the vehicle and includes an airflow passageway extending through the housing. The lighting assembly is mounted to the housing and defines an air inlet of the airflow passageway. The lighting assembly is configured to emit a light pattern in response to receipt of electrical current. The conduit may be connected to the airflow passageway for fluid communication therebetween. The conduit may receive air through the air inlet and provide the air to the engine for combustion within the engine. 
         [0005]    In some embodiments, the lighting assembly at least partially surrounds the airflow passageway. 
         [0006]    In some embodiments, the air inlet includes a bell shape. 
         [0007]    In some embodiments, the airflow passageway includes a funnel shape that increases in diameter as the airflow passageway extends from the air inlet to the conduit. 
         [0008]    In some embodiments, the lighting assembly includes a first light-generating unit that at least partially surrounds the air inlet and a second light-generating unit that partially surrounds the air inlet. 
         [0009]    In some embodiments, the lighting assembly includes a third light-generating unit that is spaced apart from the air inlet and configured to emit another light pattern in response to receipt of electrical current. The third light-generating unit may include a longitudinal or rotational axis that is spaced apart from a rotational axis of the first and second light-generating units. 
         [0010]    In some embodiments, the lighting assembly includes a cap that at least partially formed the bell-shaped air inlet. The first and second light-generating units may emit light through the cap. 
         [0011]    In some embodiments, the first light-generating unit includes a daytime running light emitting a first color of light (e.g., white) and the second light-generating unit includes a turn indicator emitting a second color of light (e.g., amber). 
         [0012]    In some embodiments, the lighting assembly includes a reflector at least partially surrounding the air inlet. The reflector may be disposed between the first and second light-generating units. 
         [0013]    In some embodiments, the first and second light-generating units include at least partially circular shapes. 
         [0014]    In some embodiments, the first and second light-generating units include light-emitting diodes. 
         [0015]    In some embodiments, the vehicle includes an air cleaner disposed between the engine and the airflow passageway. 
         [0016]    In some embodiments, the housing is mounted to a front end of the vehicle. 
         [0017]    In some embodiments, the lighting assembly is a part of a headlamp assembly. 
         [0018]    In some embodiments, the housing is mounted to a rear end of the vehicle, and the lighting assembly may be a part of a taillight assembly. 
         [0019]    In some embodiments, the housing includes a cavity in which the lighting assembly is at least partially received. 
         [0020]    In some embodiments, the housing includes a boss extending through the cavity, the boss defining the airflow passageway. 
         [0021]    In another form, the present disclosure provides an air-induction system for an internal combustion engine. The air-induction system includes a headlamp assembly and a conduit. The headlamp assembly includes a housing and a lighting assembly. The housing defines an aperture extending therethrough and having an inlet. The lighting assembly is mounted to the headlamp housing and may define the inlet. The lighting assembly is configured to emit a light pattern in response to receipt of electrical current. The conduit may be connected to the aperture for fluid communication therebetween. The conduit provides air received through the inlet to an air cleaner. 
         [0022]    In some embodiments, the inlet includes a bell shape. 
         [0023]    In some embodiments, the lighting assembly at least partially surrounds the aperture. 
         [0024]    In some embodiments, the aperture includes a funnel shape. 
         [0025]    In some embodiments, a diameter of the aperture increases as the aperture extends from the inlet to the conduit. 
         [0026]    In some embodiments, the lighting assembly includes a first light-generating unit that at least partially surrounds the inlet and a second light-generating unit that at least partially surrounds the inlet. 
         [0027]    In some embodiments, the first light-generating unit includes a daytime running light and the second light-generating unit includes a turn indicator. 
         [0028]    In some embodiments, the air-induction system includes another lighting assembly mounted to the headlamp housing and configured to emit a second light pattern in response to receipt of electrical current. 
         [0029]    In some embodiments, the housing is configured to be mounted to a front end of a vehicle. 
         [0030]    In some embodiments, the housing is configured to be mounted to a rear end of the vehicle. 
         [0031]    Further areas of applicability of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description, claims and drawings provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the summary and detailed description, including the disclosed embodiments and drawings, are merely exemplary in nature intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, its application or use. Thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the disclosure are intended to be within the scope of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0032]      FIG. 1  is a view of a portion of a front end of a vehicle having a headlamp assembly according to the principles of the present disclosure; 
           [0033]      FIG. 2  is a schematic representation of the vehicle having the headlamp assembly and an air-induction system according to the principles of the present disclosure; 
           [0034]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the headlamp assembly and air cleaner assembly; 
           [0035]      FIG. 4  is a partially exploded perspective view of the headlamp assembly; 
           [0036]      FIG. 5  is a schematic cross-sectional view of the headlamp assembly; and 
           [0037]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an LED tube, reflector and turn indicator of the headlamp assembly. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0038]    In an exemplary embodiment and with reference to  FIGS. 1-6 , a vehicle  10  is provided that includes an engine  12  and an air-induction system  14  that provides air to the engine  12  for combustion therein. The air-induction system  14  includes a first headlamp assembly  16  and an air cleaner  18 . A first conduit  20  extends between the first headlamp assembly  16  and the air cleaner  18 . A second conduit  22  extends between the air cleaner  18  and the engine  12 . As will be described in more detail below, the first headlamp assembly  16  defines an air inlet of the air-induction system  14 . That is, air from the ambient environment enters the air-induction system  14  through the first headlamp assembly  16  and flows from the first headlamp assembly  16  to the air cleaner  18  through the first conduit  20 . The air cleaner  18  may include an air filter (not shown) that removes dirt and other particles from the air. From the air cleaner  18 , the air flows through the second conduit  22  to the engine  12 . 
         [0039]    The first headlamp assembly  16  includes a housing  24  and a lighting assembly  26  at least partially received in the housing  24 . The housing  24  may be mounted to and at least partially received in a front end  28  ( FIG. 1 ) of the vehicle  10 . As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the housing  24  may include a cavity  30  and a generally conical boss  32  disposed within the cavity  30 . The boss  32  includes an airflow passageway  34  extending therethrough. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the airflow passageway  34  may include a generally conical shape having a first axis of rotational symmetry Al and an inner diametrical surface  36  that increases in diameter as the airflow passageway  34  extends from its forward axial end  38  toward its rearward axial end  40 . The first conduit  20  is fluidly coupled to the rearward axial end  40 . 
         [0040]    The lighting assembly  26  may include a frame  42 , a first light-generating unit  44 , a first reflector  46 , a second light-generating unit  48 , a third light-generating unit  50 , a second reflector  52 , and a cap  54 . The frame  42  may be attached to the housing  24  and may include first and second openings  56 ,  58  extending therethrough. The first opening  56  may extend around the airflow passageway  34  and may include an axis of rotational symmetry that is collinear with the first axis A 1 . The second opening  58  of the frame  42  may receive the second reflector  52  and the third light-generating unit  50 . The second reflector  52  and the third light-generating unit  50  may include a rotational axis A 2  that may be spaced apart from and extend parallel to the first axis A 1 . 
         [0041]    The first reflector  46  may be mounted to the frame  42  at the first opening  56  and may include an opening  60  extending therethrough that is generally aligned with or concentric with the airflow passageway  34 . The first reflector  46  may be generally bell shaped or funnel shaped, for example. The first and second light-generating units  44 ,  48  may be attached to the first reflector  46  and/or the frame  42 . The first and second light-generating units  44 ,  48  may extend partially or completely around the opening  60  and the airflow passageway  34 . The first light-generating unit  44  may be a signature light or a daytime running light, for example, and may include a light tube  62  and one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs) transmitting light through the light tube  62 . The second light-generating unit  48  may be a turn indicator and may include one or more additional LEDs  64 . The third light-generating unit  50  can be a headlamp including an incandescent, halogen or HID (high-intensity discharge) bulb, for example, or any other suitable headlamp bulb. 
         [0042]    The cap  54  may sealingly engage the housing  24  and may enclose the lighting assembly  26  within the cavity  30  of the housing  24 . The cap  54  may include a first transparent or translucent portion  70  and a second transparent or translucent portion  72 . The first transparent portion  70  is aligned with the third light-generating unit  50  and the second reflector  52  to protect the third light-generating unit  50  and allow light to be transmitted therethrough. 
         [0043]    The second transparent portion  72  is aligned with the first and second light-generating units  44 ,  48  and protects the first and second light-generating units  44 ,  48  while allowing light to be transmitted therethrough. The second transparent portion  72  includes a generally bell-shaped air-inlet opening  74  extending therethrough. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the air-inlet opening  74  includes an upstream end  76  having a first diameter and a downstream end  78  having a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter. The downstream end  78  may sealingly engage the forward axial end  38  of the airflow passageway  34 . In this manner, the air-inlet opening  74  and the airflow passageway  34  cooperate to form a continuous passageway that extends entirely through the sealed first headlamp assembly  16  (i.e., through the cap  54 , the first light-generating unit  44 , the first reflector  46 , the second light-generating unit  48 , the frame  42  and the housing  24 ). 
         [0044]    The bell shape of the air-inlet opening  74  and the funnel shape of the airflow passageway  34  may improve air flow into the air cleaner  18  and engine  12  by reducing or minimizing flow losses therethrough. This improved air flow to the air cleaner  18  and engine  12  improves engine performance. Furthermore, the positioning of the air-inlet opening  74  in the first headlamp assembly  16  at the front end  28  of the vehicle  10  provides the additional benefit of being at a high air-pressure zone of the vehicle  10  while the vehicle  10  is moving forward. This causes a ram-air effect that forces a larger volume of air over a given time period through the air-induction system  14  and into the engine  12 , which further improves engine performance. Because the air-inlet opening  74  extends through the first and second light-generating units  44 ,  48  and the first reflector  46 , the aesthetic design of these components need not be altered to provide an inlet for the air-induction system  14 . The bell or funnel shape of the first reflector  46  is also beneficial for functionality of the lighting assembly  26 , as this shape facilitates the reflection and transmission of light out of the first headlamp assembly  16 . Furthermore, the sealing engagement between the cap  54  and the housing  24  seals off the cavity  30  from the air-inlet opening  74  and the airflow passageway  34 . 
         [0045]    As shown schematically in  FIG. 2 , the vehicle  10  may include a second headlamp assembly  17  and a grille  19  disposed between the first and second headlamp assemblies  16 ,  17 . In some embodiments, the structure and function of the second headlamp assembly  17  may be similar or identical to the first headlamp assembly  16 . That is, the second headlamp assembly  17  may form another air inlet of the air-induction system  14 . In other embodiments, the structure of the second headlamp assembly  17  may be generally similar to that of the first headlamp assembly  16 , except the second headlamp assembly  17  might not include an air inlet passage and might not be associated with the air-induction system  14 . In still other embodiments, the second headlamp assembly  17  could include an air inlet passage that is not connected to the air-induction system  14 . Such an air inlet passage may provide air to cool certain vehicle components, for example. 
         [0046]    It will be appreciated that the air-inlet opening  74  could be shaped differently from the bell shape shown in the figures. For example, the air-inlet opening  74  could be cylindrical or funnel-shaped. Furthermore, while the air-induction system  14  is described above as including the first headlamp assembly  16 , it will be appreciated that a taillight assembly, fog light assembly or other light assembly could include an air-inlet opening and airflow passageway for providing air to an engine or other vehicle component. 
         [0047]    The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.