Patent Publication Number: US-2023147937-A1

Title: Impact ring

Description:
The subject disclosure relates to lamps of vehicles, and more particularly relates to an impact ring to protect lamps in the fascia of the rear-ends and other areas of the vehicles. 
     The rear-end structure (and front-end structure) of vehicles are relatively complex assemblies and include numerous parts and pieces. There are many reasons for this, including both styling and functional reasons. One functional reason is because the vehicle rear-end structures and associated bumper/fascia systems must not only be able to resist damage upon low-speed impacts, but must also allow the bumper to stroke, crush, and absorb substantial energy upon high-energy impacts, while still permitting the structure to anchor and uniformly support fascia in and around the bumper and the lamps, during normal vehicle operation. Typically, this is accomplished by using a variety of brackets, flanges, and braces that support the fascia in various areas, and mount to different parts of the vehicle structures. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one exemplary embodiment, a lamp protection assembly is provided. The lamp protection assembly includes a lamp assembly that includes a lens, a lamp housing, and one or more lighting elements located within the lamp housing. The one or more lighting elements being configured to emit light through the lens. The lamp protection assembly also includes an impact ring that is configured to wrap around the lens. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that the impact ring is composed of a first material having a first young&#39;s modulus and the lens is composed of a second material having a second young&#39;s modulus that is greater than the first young&#39;s modulus. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that the impact ring protrudes further away from the lamp protection assembly than the lens. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that the impact ring protrudes further away from the lamp protection assembly than the lens. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that the lens further includes a raised lens face having an edge extending thereabout. The impact ring is configured to wrap around the outer surface of the edge. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that the lamp assembly further includes a flange configured to attach the lens to the lamp housing. The edge extends from the flange to the lens face. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that the impact ring further includes an inner surface, an outer surface located opposite the inner surface, and a radially inward surface extending from the inner surface to the outer surface. The radially inward surface is configured to wrap around the edge. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that the edge has a first height as measured from the flange to the lens face. The impact ring has a second height as measured from the inner surface to the outer surface. The second height being greater than the first height. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that the impact ring is composed of a first material having a first young&#39;s modulus and the lens is composed of a second material having a second young&#39;s modulus that is greater than the first young&#39;s modulus. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that the lens is composed of a first lens portion composed of a first lens material and a second lens portion composed of a second lens material. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, a vehicle is provided. The vehicle including a fascia, a lamp port formed in the fascia, and a lamp protection assembly mounted within the lamp port. The lamp protection assembly includes a lamp assembly that includes a lens, a lamp housing, and one or more lighting elements located within the lamp housing. The one or more lighting elements being configured to emit light through the lens. The lamp protection assembly also includes an impact ring that is configured to wrap around the lens. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that the impact ring is composed of a first material having a first young&#39;s modulus and the lens is composed of a second material having a second young&#39;s modulus that is greater than the first young&#39;s modulus. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that the impact ring protrudes outwardly from a lens face of the lens. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that the impact ring protrudes outwardly from a lens face of the lens. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that the lens further includes a raised lens face having an edge extending thereabout. The impact ring is configured to wrap around the outer surface of the edge. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that the lamp assembly further comprises a flange configured to attach the lens to the lamp housing. The edge extends from the flange to the lens face. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that the impact ring further includes an inner surface, an outer surface located opposite the inner surface, and a radially inward surface extending from the inner surface to the outer surface. The radially inward surface is configured to wrap around the edge. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that the edge has a first height as measured from the flange to the lens face. The impact ring has a second height as measured from the inner surface to the outer surface. The second height being greater than the first height. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that the impact ring is composed of a first material having a first young&#39;s modulus and the lens is composed of a second material having a second young&#39;s modulus that is greater than the first young&#39;s modulus. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, a method of fabricating a lamp protection assembly for a vehicle is provided. The method includes obtaining a lamp assembly for the vehicle. The lamp assembly includes a lamp assembly that includes a lens, a lamp housing, and one or more lighting elements located within the lamp housing. The one or more lighting elements being configured to emit light through the lens. The method further includes wrapping an impact ring around the lens. 
     The above features and advantages, and other features and advantages of the disclosure are readily apparent from the following detailed description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Other features, advantages and details appear, by way of example only, in the following detailed description, the detailed description referring to the drawings in which: 
         FIG.  1    is a rear perspective view of a vehicle that includes a lamp assembly with an impact ring to form a lamp protection assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  2    is a disassembled view of the lamp protection assembly of  FIG.  1   , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  3    is an isometric view of the lamp protection assembly of  FIG.  1   , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  4    is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a hollow impact ring, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  5    is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a solid impact ring, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  6    is a side view of the vehicle with the lamp protection assembly about to strike an object, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  7    is a flow diagram illustrating a method of fabricating the lamp protection assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, its application or uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features. 
     Lamps may be located in the rear fascia of a vehicle which exposes them to impacts during collisions with stationary object or another vehicle. The lamps are typically composed of one or more delicate materials that may crack or shatter upon impact. The embodiments disclosed herein seek to provide an impact ring to encircle an outer perimeter of the lamp with a young&#39;s modulus that is less than a young&#39;s modulus of the lens of the lamp it is protecting. The impact ring is proud of the lens of the lamp in the vehicle so that it extends further outward away from the vehicle to better protect the lens during impacts. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  1   , a rear perspective view of a vehicle  100  is illustrated, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The vehicle  100  includes a lamp protection assembly  500  formed by an impact ring  300  and a lamp assembly  200 . The impact ring  300  wraps around the lamp assembly  200 . The lamp protection assembly  500  may be located on a rear end  102  of the vehicle  100 . Typically, lamp assemblies  200  are “mirror images” of each other and, therefore, the following description applies equivalently to either a left side assembly or a right side assembly. Lamp assemblies  200  may also be found on other areas of the vehicle  100 , including, but not limited to, the front end  104  of the vehicle  100 , therefore, the following description applies equivalently to a lamp assembly  200  located on any other areas of the vehicle  100 . 
     The lamp protection assembly  500  may be mounted within suitably sized lamp ports  120  formed within the body or a rear fascia  110  of vehicle  100 . For example, such lamp ports  120  may be formed within the rear fascia  110  of the vehicle  100  proximate a bumper of the vehicle  100 . The rear fascia  110  may be described as the ornamental and/or structural outer surface of the vehicle  100  that is integrally attached to the bumper and/or the frame (not shown) of the vehicle  100 . 
     The impact ring  300  is configured to encircle the lamp assembly  200  to protect the lamp assembly  200  in the event of a collision as discussed further herein. The impact ring  300  is configured to extend further away from the rear fascia  110  than the lamp assembly  200  to protect the lamp assembly  200  in the event of a collision as discussed further herein. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  2   , with continued reference to  FIG.  1   , a disassembled view of the lamp protection assembly  500  is illustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The lamp assembly  200  is composed of a lamp housing  208  and a lens  210 . The lens  210  may include a first lens portion  240  and a second lens portion  220 . The lens  210  includes a lens face  222  that includes a segment of the second lens portion  220  and the first lens portion  240 . It is understood that the embodiments described herein may also be applicable to a lens  210  having only one lens portion and not a different first lens portion  240  and second lens portion  220 . The first lens portion  240  and the second lens portion  220  may have different colors and transparencies, as discussed further herein. 
     The lamp housing  208  is configured to attach the lamp assembly  200  to the vehicle  100 . The lamp housing  208  may include one or more attachment arms  212  to operably attach the lamp assembly  200  to a bumper of the vehicle  100 , a structural frame of the vehicle  100 , and/or a rear fascia  110  of the vehicle  100 . The lamp housing  208  is configured to attach the lamp assembly  200  to the vehicle  100  through the one or more attachment arms  212 . 
     The lamp housing  208  may have one or more chambers which may include a first chamber  223  and a second chamber  225 . The lamp assembly  200  includes one or more lighting elements  250  located within the lamp housing  208 . The one or more lighting elements are configured to emit light through the lens  210 . The lighting elements  250  will shine from the chambers  223 ,  225 , through the first lens portion  240  or the second lens portion  220 , independently, for different usage, such as, for example, backing up, stopping, or turning. The lamp housing  208  may include any number of lighting elements  250 . The lighting elements  250  may be an electrified lamp such as a light emitting diode (LED) light bulb, an incandescent light bulb, or any other similar light emitting device known to one of skill in the art. The lamp assembly  200  may include a reflector  221  located within the lamp housing  208 . The reflector  221  is configured to reflect light produced by the lighting elements  250 . The reflector  221  may be located in the second chamber  225 . The lens  210  encloses the lighting elements  250  and/or the reflector  221  within the one or more chambers  223 ,  225 , thus protecting the lighting elements  250  and/or the reflectors  221  from the external environment. 
     The first lens portion  240  may be composed of a first lens material that is transparent, semi-transparent, or translucent material to allow light generated by the lighting elements  250  or light reflected by the reflector  221  to pass through the first lens portion  240 . In one embodiment, the first lens portion  240  is formed from a clear plastic material or tempered glass. 
     The second lens portion  220  may be composed of a second material that is transparent, semi-transparent, or translucent material to allow light generated by the lighting elements  250  or light reflected by the reflector  221  to pass through the second lens portion  220 . In one embodiment, the second lens portion  220  is formed from a clear plastic material or tempered glass. The second material may be different from the first lens material. The second material may have a different transparency than the first lens material. 
     The lens  210  includes a flange  216  extending about its perimeter. The second lens portion  220  of the lens  210  may include the flange  216 . The flange  216  is configured to attach the lens  210  to the lamp housing  208 . The flange  216  may be glued or sonic welded to the lamp housing  208 . The lens face  222  extends outwardly from the flange  216  as illustrated in  FIG.  2   . The lens face  222  is joined to the flange by an edge  226 . The second lens portion  220  of the lens  210  may include the edge  226 . The outer surface  226  is configured to mate flush with the impact ring  300 . 
     The edge  226  extends from the flange  216  to the lens face  222 . The edge  226  connects to the lens face  222  to the flange  216 . The edge  226  has a first height H 1  that is measured from the flange to the lens face  222 . It is understood that the edge  226  may or may not be present, and the embodiment disclosed herein may be applicable to lens  210  with or without the edge  226 . 
     The impact ring  300  is separate from the lamp assembly  200 . The impact ring  300  is configured to wrap around the lens  210 . More specifically, the impact ring  300  may be configured to wrap around the lens face  222  and/or the edge  226 . The impact ring  300  may be held in place by one or more tabs  260  extending outwardly from the flange  216  and space from the edge  226 . Upon installation into the vehicle  100 , the impact ring  300  may be covered by the rear fascia  110  of the vehicle  100  and the rear fascia  110  may also help secure the impact ring  300  in place. More specifically, the impact ring  300  is configured to wrap around the edge  226  of the lens  210 . The impact ring  300  includes a radially inward surface  310 , a radially outward surface  320  located opposite the radially inward surface  310 , an inner surface  330 , and an outer surface  340  located opposite the inner surface  330 . The radially inward surface  310  extends from the inner surface  330  to the outer surface  340 . The radially outward surface  320  extends from the inner surface  330  to the outer surface  340 . The radially inward surface  310  of the impact ring  300  is configured to wrap around or engage the edge  226 , as illustrated in  FIG.  3   . 
     The impact ring  300  has a second height H 2  that is measured from the inner surface  330  to the outer surface  340 . The second height H 2  is greater than the first height H 1  of the edge  226 , thus the impact ring  300  protrudes further from the vehicle  100  and/or the lamp protection assembly  500  than the lens face  222 . In other words, the impact ring  300  extends further from the flange  216  than the lens face  222 . In an alternative embodiment, the lamp assembly  200  may not include a flange  216  and the impact ring  300  may rest on the edge  226 . 
     When assembled to the lens  210 , the impact ring  300  is configured to extend outwardly past the lens face  22  at a height of H 2 . The projection of the impact ring  300  beyond the lens face  222  will transfer an impact load away from the lends face  222  during an impact with the lens protection assembly  500 . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  3   , with continued reference to  FIGS.  1 - 2   , a perspective view of the impact ring  300  assembled onto the lamp assembly  200  to comprise the lamp protection assembly  500  is illustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated in  FIG.  3   , the inner surface  330  of the impact ring  300  mates flush onto the flange  216  and the radially inward surface  310  of the impact ring  300  mates flush with the edge  226 . The impact ring  300  wraps around the lens  210 . More specifically, the impact ring  300  wraps around the edge  226 . Even more specifically, the radially inward surface  310  of the impact ring  300  wraps around the edge  226 . 
     In an embodiment, the impact ring  300  is composed of a first material having a first young&#39;s modulus and the lens  210  is composed of a second material having a second young&#39;s modulus that is greater than the first young&#39;s modulus. In other words, the first young&#39;s modulus is less than the second young&#39;s modulus. As a result, the impact ring  300  will be softer or more flexible than the lens  210 . In an embodiment, the first material that the impact ring  300  is composed of may be a plastic, or a similar material known to one of skill in the art. The impact ring  300  may be hollow or solid. In an embodiment, the second material that the lens  210  is composed of may be a clear plastic material, tempered glass, or a similar material known to one of skill in the art. Advantageously, the impact ring  300  has a lower young&#39;s modulus and is softer, which helps spread impact force on the lamp assembly  500 . In the embodiment illustrated, the second lens portion  220  may be composed of the second material having the second young&#39;s modulus, since the second lens portion  220  is in contact with the impact ring  300 . As aforementioned, the first lens portion  240  may be composed of a first lens material and the second lens portion  220  may be composed of the second lens material, thus the second lens material may be equivalent to the second material. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  4  and  5   , with continued reference to  FIGS.  1 - 4   , an enlarged cross-sectional view of the impact ring  300  assembled on to the lens  210  is illustrated, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. The impact ring  300  illustrated in  FIG.  4    is hollow, whereas the impact ring illustrated in  FIG.  5    is solid. 
     As aforementioned, the lens  210  may include a raised lens face  222  connected to the flange  216  via an edge  226 . The edge  226  has a first height H 1  that is measured from the flange  216  to the lens face  222 . It is understood that while lens  210  is described and illustrated herein as having a flange  216 , the embodiments described herein are also applicable to a different lens without the flange  216 . 
     The impact ring  300  is configured to wrap around the lens  210  or more specifically the lens face  222 . Even more specifically, the impact ring  300  is configured to wrap around the edge  226 . 
     The radially inward surface  310  may be configured to mate flush with the edge  226 . The radially inward surface  310  may be operably shaped to match a shape of the edge  226 . The impact ring  300  and is configured to absorb, dissipate, and/or transfer an impact load to the lens  210  during an impact. 
     The inner surface  330  may be configured to mate flush with the flange  216 . The inner surface  330  may be operably shaped to match a shape of the flange  216 . In an embodiment, the inner surface  330  and the flange  216  each have a flat or planar in shape. In an alternative embodiment, there may be no flange  216 . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  6   , with continued reference to  FIGS.  1 - 5   , a side view of the vehicle  100  with the lamp protection assembly  500  about to impact a stationary object  400  at an impact point  410  is illustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As previously mentioned, the impact ring  300  protrudes further away from the vehicle  100  than the lens  210 . The impact ring  300  also protrudes further way from the lamp assembly  200  than the lens  210 . Advantageously, since the impact ring  300  extends further away from the vehicle  100 , in the event of a collision between a vehicle  100  and of the stationary object  400 , the impact ring  300  will strike the impact point  410  prior to the lens  210  striking the impact point  410 . Thus, the impact ring  300  will absorb a majority of the force from the impact with the impact point  410 . Advantageously, this will help spread the force from the impact around the impact ring  300  and protect the lens  210  from breaking during impact. Also, advantageously, the impact ring  300  will help spread the force from the impact ring  300  more evenly through the lens  210 , thus reducing the risk that the lens  210  will break during impact. 
     Also, advantageously, the impact ring  300  manages impact energy more efficiently than current systems, which results in a smaller offset between the rear fascia  110  of the vehicle  100  and the lens  210  to absorb the impact force. This in turn will enable more flexibility to the design. This results in less off-set between a surface of rear fascia  110  and a surface of the lens  210  if desired. The impact ring  300  can also function as a decorative bezel piece around the rear fascia  110 , the lens  210 , or any other sensor of the vehicle  100 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  7   , with continued reference to  FIGS.  1 - 6   , a method  600  of fabricating a lamp protection assembly  500  for a vehicle  100  is illustrated, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     At block  604 , a lamp assembly  200  for the vehicle  100  is obtained. 
     The lamp assembly  200  includes a lens  210 , a lamp housing  208 , and one or more lighting elements  250  located within the lamp housing  208 . The one or more lighting elements  250  are configured to emit light through the lens  210 . 
     At block  606 , an impact ring  300  is wrapped around the lens  210 . 
     The term “about” is intended to include the degree of error associated with measurement of the particular quantity based upon the equipment available at the time of filing the application. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, element components, and/or groups thereof. 
     While the above disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from its scope. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but will include all embodiments falling within the scope thereof.