Abstract:
An integrated LED warning and vehicle lamp according to aspects of the present invention has a base configured to directly replace an existing vehicle lamp by reception into the lamp&#39;s reflector shell. The integrated warning and vehicle lamp includes a first radial array of LEDs dedicated to producing the vehicle warning and/or illumination formerly produced by the vehicle lamp and a second radial array of LEDs dedicated to producing an emergency warning light signal. The second radial array may be electrically connected to an axial LED. The LEDs are supported by a lamp support at a location near the focus of the reflector shell. An interface electrical circuit modifies the electrical energy formerly fed to the vehicle lamp to a form appropriate for the LEDs in the first array. A warning signal electrical circuit energizes the second array of LEDs to produce the emergency warning light signal.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention generally relates to vehicular emergency warning lights used to warn the public of the presence of an emergency vehicle and more particularly to a lamp which integrates a warning signal function with the functions of a standard vehicular lamp.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The use of emergency vehicle signal devices for increasing the visibility of public service vehicles is well known in the art. Vehicles using such devices include emergency, police, municipal, and construction vehicles, among others. The most widely employed type of visual warning system is the roof-mounted light bar. Such a light bar includes a plurality of light generators arranged on a support that spans from side-to-side, and either rests upon or is spaced above, the roof of the emergency vehicle. While such light bars accomplish the purpose of producing a wide variety of highly visible light radiation patterns to warn the public of the presence of an emergency vehicle, prior art light bars possess certain inherent disadvantages. For example, such prior light bars tend to increase vehicle wind resistance, increase fuel consumption and produce turbulence that results in interior noise at high speeds. A traditional light bar also increases vehicle height, which may limit access to certain areas, or present the possibility of damage to property or the light bar itself where there is limited overhead clearance. Arguably the most significant drawback to a roof-mounted light bar in the context of law enforcement vehicles is that the presence of a light bar conspicuously identifies the nature of the vehicle.  
         [0003]     The prior art discloses aerodynamic light bars, low profile light bars and light bars mounted against the inside of vehicle windows that address some of the disadvantages of traditional roof mounted light bars. Other alternative configurations include various combinations of grill or bumper-mounted warning lights, headlight flashers, warning lights mounted inside the vehicle on the dashboard, sun visors or rearview mirror, and warning lights integrated with the externally mounted rearview mirrors. With respect to warning lights placed inside the vehicle, vision at night can be problematic, due to reflection of the light into the interior of the vehicle.  
         [0004]     One approach to providing an inconspicuous warning light is to place a strobe warning lamp in the reflector shells for the front and rear corner signal/running lamps. This has typically been accomplished by drilling a second opening in the reflector and installing a strobe base and bulb to project into the shell. One drawback of this procedure is the need to modify parts of the vehicle. Further, the strobe lamp cannot be arranged at the focus of the reflector and is thus rendered significantly less effective in its warning function. Strobe-type lamps are known to be relatively short lived and require frequent maintenance.  
         [0005]     There is a continuing need for a new and improved emergency vehicle signal light that provides high visibility for an emergency vehicle while overcoming the disadvantages discussed above. The emergency vehicle light is preferably energy efficient and requires little or no maintenance.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     Briefly stated, an integrated lamp according to aspects of the present invention includes a base configured for insertion in the aperture of a reflector shell provided for a standard vehicle lamp. A lamp support post extends from the base to provide a support surface for multiple light emitters. In one exemplary embodiment, the light emitters are arranged in two parallel circumferential arrays. One array is dedicated to producing the vehicle signal and/or illumination formerly produced by the standard vehicle lamp. The other array is dedicated to producing a warning light signal. The light emitters in the two arrays are positioned with their respective optical axes substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the lamp support post. An integrated lamp according to the present invention may include an axially oriented light emitter secured to the end of the lamp support post. The axial light emitter may be provided with a collimator to organize its light to a path aligned with the longitudinal axis of the lamp support post. The axial light emitter is electrically connected to the array producing the warning light signal, thereby enhancing the straight-ahead intensity of the warning light signal.  
         [0007]     The light emitters are preferably high output LEDs and an aspect of the invention relates to an interface electrical circuit between the vehicle systems and the integrated lamp. The interface electrical circuit modifies the electrical power provided to the vehicle lamp to a form appropriate for the LEDs. A separate warning signal electrical circuit energizes the LEDs dedicated to generating the warning light signal. The warning signal electrical circuit may be centralized or each integrated lamp may be provided with its own warning signal electrical circuit. The warning light signals may be coordinated or asynchronous, according to the preference of the user. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]      FIG. 1  is a side view of an integrated lamp according to aspects of the present invention;  
         [0009]      FIG. 2  is a top view of the integrated lamp of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0010]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the integrated lamp of  FIG. 1 , with the collimating lens  50  removed for clarity;  
         [0011]      FIG. 4  is a side sectional view through a representative reflector shell and an installed integrated lamp;  
         [0012]      FIG. 5  is a functional block diagram of an exemplary integrated vehicular lamp and warning light system according to aspects of the present invention; and  
         [0013]      FIG. 6  is a functional block diagram of an alternative exemplary integrated vehicular lamp and warning light system according to aspects of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0014]     An exemplary embodiment of an integrated LED warning and vehicle lamp  10  will be described with reference to  FIGS. 1-6 .  FIG. 1  is an enlarged side view of an integrated LED warning and vehicle lamp  10  (hereinafter “integrated lamp  10 ”) according to aspects of the present invention. The integrated lamp  10  is configured to be a direct replacement for an existing vehicle signal lamp. “Direct replacement” in the context of this application means that the integrated lamp  10  is configured for installation in the reflector shell in place of a vehicle lamp and without modification of the reflector shell. The integrated lamp  10  is equipped with a base  20  configured for reception in the hole  92  provided in the reflector shell  90  for the vehicle lamp being replaced. Lamp bases are typically received in the hole and secured by a bayonet connection or the like. The integrated lamp  10  has a physical structure compatible with the interior volume and focal characteristics of the reflector shell. These aspects of the invention allow installation of the integrated lamp  10  in place of an existing vehicle lamp without physical modification to the vehicle. Integrating the warning signal function with the vehicle signal function(s) of the lamp being replaced on the same physical structure permits the light emitters for producing the warning and vehicle signals to be arranged at or close to the focus of the reflecting surface of the reflector shell.  
         [0015]     With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 4 , a lamp support post  30  extends from a base  20  to provide an attachment point for a plurality of light-emitting diodes  40 . In the exemplary embodiment, the support post  30  is square in section and extends outwardly through the focal point F of the reflector shell  90 . The outside surfaces of the support post  30  are substantially planar rectangular surfaces, the end of the support post  30  being a substantially planar square surface. In the context of the present invention, it is desirable that the support post  30  be constructed from heat-transmissive material to function as a heat sink for the light-emitting diodes  40  attached thereto.  
         [0016]     The LEDs  40  are high-output LEDs of the type manufactured by LUMILEDS® of San Jose, Calif. under the LUXEON® brand. LUXEON® LEDs come in a variety of lens configurations and colors. The illustrated LEDs are LUXEON® emitters having the lambertian or high-dome lens configuration. This lens configuration emits light in a symmetrical half-dome around an optical axis A 1 , A 2  of the LED. The LEDs  40  emit light when energized by low-voltage direct current (DC). The light output of the LED increases with increasing current such that different levels of applied current will produce different levels of light output.  
         [0017]     When energized, the LEDs  40  produce significant amounts of heat that must be removed to prevent overheating and damage to the LEDs. Heat removal is typically accomplished by securing the base or “slug” of the LED in heat-transmissive relationship to a heat-conductive PC board. Such a PC board may be a typical fiberboard provided with heat-conductive copper pads and through-holes or may be a metal-core PC board as is known in the art. The PC board is typically equipped with electrical leads for connecting the LED(s) to each other and to electrical circuits producing the energizing current.  
         [0018]     It will be understood by those of skill in the art that the power requirements for the LEDs  40  of the integrated lamp  10  may be quite different from the power applied to the vehicle lamp being replaced. Further, modern vehicles may sense the presence or absence of continuity through the filament(s) of the vehicle lamp to provide indications of lamp malfunction. Therefore, it will likely be necessary to provide an interface electrical circuit between the integrated lamp  10  and the relevant vehicle electrical systems. The interface electrical circuit will modify vehicle power to the proper voltage and current for the LED(s). The interface electrical circuit may also mimic a properly functioning vehicle lamp to avoid spurious indications of lamp malfunction. The interface electrical circuit will be responsive to the vehicle signaling systems that formerly energized the vehicle lamp. To the vehicle, the integrated lamp  10  will appear and behave identically to the vehicle lamp being replaced.  
         [0019]     An aspect of the present invention relates to the dual functionality of the integrated lamp  10 . One function of the integrated lamp  10  is to duplicate the vehicle light signals such as turn signals, brake lights or running lights formerly generated by the vehicle lamp. The vehicle light signals and illumination produced by the integrated lamp must meet the light intensity and distribution pattern standards established for the relevant vehicle signals or lamps. The second function of the integrated lamp is to produce a warning signal illumination pattern meeting the intensity and distribution pattern requirements established for emergency vehicle warning light signals.  
         [0020]     With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 4 , the exemplary integrated lamp  10  includes a total of nine high-output LEDs  40 . Eight of the LEDs are mounted to the lamp support post in two circumferential rows  42 ,  44 . Each row  42 ,  44  includes one LED  40  secured to each longitudinal face of the lamp support post  30 . The row  42  of LEDs  40  closer to the base  20  is dedicated to replacing the vehicle signal functions, while the outward row  44  and axial LED  40 ′ (together  52 ) are dedicated to generating the warning light signal. Dashed line  80  in  FIGS. 1 and 4  indicates an approximate focal distance defined by a reflecting surface  94  of the reflector shell  90 . An aspect of the present invention relates to placing the rows  42 ,  44  of radial LEDs  40  as close to the focus F of the reflector shell  90  as possible. In the context of the present invention, the parallel rows  42 ,  44  of LEDs  40  are respectively placed immediately within and immediately beyond the focal distance  80  of the reflector shell.  
         [0021]     An aspect of the present invention relates to placement of an axial LED  40 ′ on the outward end of the lamp support post  30 . This LED  40 ′ is equipped with a collimating (internally reflecting) reflector  50  which organizes light from the axial LED  40 ′ to a path substantially parallel to an axis A 1  defined by the lamp support post  30 . The path of the collimated light from the axial LED  40 ′ is also substantially parallel to the optical axis A 1  of the axial LED  40 ′. The four radial light emitters  40  of row  44  fill the vehicle reflector with light when energized to generate the warning light signal. The axial LED  40 ′ is typically energized simultaneously with the radial LEDs of row  44  to provide additional straight-ahead intensity to the generated warning light signal. The LEDs  52  connected to generate the warning light signal are energized in a selected pattern at current levels equal to or slightly above the maximum rated current I max  for the LEDs. I max  is typically between approximately 350 mA anc 450 mA for a one-watt LUXEON® emitter depending on the color and batch. The LEDs are mounted with their slugs in heat-transmissive relationship to heat-conductive PC boards  32 , which are in turn secured to the lamp support post  30  in heat-transmissive relationship. This arrangement removes heat from the LEDs  40 ,  40 ′ efficiently, preventing overheating, and allowing the application of maximum current to the LEDs.  
         [0022]     The four LEDs  40  of the inward row  42  are electrically connected to the relevant vehicle systems via an interface electrical circuit  60 . The interface electrical circuit  60  responds to the vehicle systems to provide an appropriate energizing current to the LEDs of the inner row  42  in a pattern to reproduce the relevant vehicle signal. For example, to reproduce a turn signal, the LEDs are provided with maximum current I max  in an equally timed on/off sequence. To reproduce running lights, the LEDs are continuously energized at a less than maximum current. To reproduce a brake signal, the LEDs  40  are provided with maximum current for as long as the brake signal is transmitted from the relevant vehicle system. Dual functions, such as running and brake lights, can be reproduced by applying continuous lower current with intermittent maximum current to the LEDs  40  of row  42 .  
         [0023]     With reference to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , there are a variety of ways to construct the electrical circuitry and connections to coordinate the light signals generated by the integrated lamp  10  with the light signals of the other integrated lamps and relevant vehicle systems.  FIG. 5  illustrates a first embodiment of an integrated vehicular lamp and warning system light system  110 . In the arrangement of  FIG. 5 , a centralized warning signal generator  70  generates a coordinated set of electrical signals that are transmitted to the LEDs of the integrated lamps  10 . The centralized generation and distribution of electrical signals to multiple warning signal light generators is known in the art. This arrangement produces a coordinated warning signal light pattern from the multiple integrated lamps  10 . It will be noted that each of the integrated lamps  10  in  FIG. 5  is also provided with an interface electrical circuit  60 . The interface electrical circuit  60  provides appropriate levels of energizing current to some of the integrated lamp LEDs  40  in patterns to reproduce the relevant vehicle signal as described above.  
         [0024]      FIG. 6  illustrates an alternative integrated vehicular lamp and warning signal light system  100  in which each integrated lamp  10  is provided with its own warning signal electrical circuit  74 . The individual warning signal electrical circuits may comprise a microcontroller programmed with one or more warning light signal patterns and the circuitry necessary to generate energizing current to produce the relevant warning light signal. The warning signal electrical circuits  74  will typically be configured to generate the same or complementary warning light signals when energized.  FIG. 6  shows a synchronizing electrical connection  84  between the several integrated lamps  10 . Such a synchronizing electrical connection  84  can be employed to coordinate the timing of the warning light signals generated by the integrated lamps  10 . Alternatively, the integrated lamps  10  may be permitted to generate their warning light signals without reference to the signals generated by the other integrated lamps  10 . The integrated lamps  10  of  FIG. 6  are also provided with interface electrical circuits  60  that function as described above.  
         [0025]     Exemplary embodiments illustrating the structure for an integrated lamp and alternative electrical circuitry and system arrangements are described for purposes of explanation and are not intended as limitations of the invention herein. Alternative structures and electrical configurations may occur to one of skill in the art without departing from the spirit and the scope of the present invention.