Patent Abstract:
A vehicular lamp employs a single, high-flux light emitting diode as a light source, and is capable of performing stop, tail, turn and marker functions. The vehicular lamp can satisfy the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108, as well as Society of Automotive Engineers Standards J585 (3/00), J1395 (6/91), J1398 (6/91), and J592 (12/94).

Full Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
     The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application, Ser. No. 60/361,269, filed Mar. 2, 2002, which is incorporated by reference herein, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application, Ser. No. 60/450,564 filed Feb. 28, 2003, which is incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a vehicular lamp, more particularly to a light emitting diode vehicular lamp, and even more particularly, to a light emitting diode vehicular lamp that uses a single high-flux light emitting diode as a light source to satisfy the requirements, including photometric requirements, of a combination stop/tail/turn/marker vehicle light. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The Department of Transportation (DOT), in its Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, 49 C.F.R. §571.108 (2000), (“FMVSS 108”) has adopted certain versions of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) standards for stop/tail/turn/marker vehicular lamps. DOT Standard 592e (part of FMVSS 108) and SAE Standard J592e provides test procedures, requirements and guidelines for clearance, side marker, and identification lamps. 
     DOT Standard 585 (part of FMVSS 108) and SAE Standard J585 define a tail lamp as a lamp used to designate the rear of a vehicle by a steady burning low intensity light. These standards also provide that a tail lamp is a lamp installed on the rear of a vehicle and spaced as far apart laterally as practicable so that the signal will be clearly visible and its intent clearly understood. 
     DOT Standard 1395 (part of FMVSS 108) and SAE Standard J1395 define a turn signal lamp as a lamp that indicates a change in direction by giving a flashing light on the side toward which the turn or lane change will be made. These standards also provide that a turn signal lamp is a lamp, facing rearward for the rear lamp and facing forward for the front lamp, mounted on the permanent structure of the vehicle, at the same height and spaced as far apart laterally as practicable so that the signal will be clearly visible. 
     DOT Standard 1398 (part of FMVSS 108) and SAE Standard J1398 define a stop lamp as a lamp giving a steady light to the rear of a vehicle to indicate the intention of the operator of the vehicle to stop or diminish speed by braking. These standards further provide that stop lamps shall be mounted on the permanent structure of the vehicle, facing rearward, at the same height and spaced as far apart laterally as practicable, so that the signal will be clearly visible. 
     DOT and SAE standards also specify certain requirements, such as photometric requirements, for vehicular lamps functioning as stop, tail, turn and/or marker lamps, including luminous intensity requirements. According to the aforementioned standards, sufficient luminous intensity must exist at various points in the illumination zone. The specific photometric requirements of the most recent versions of the SAE Standards (i.e., J585 (March 2000), J1395 (June 1991), J1398 (June 1991), J592 (December 1994)) are set forth hereinbelow for stop/tail/turn/marker vehicular lamps. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 STOP LAMP PHOTOMETRIC PERFORMANCE 
               
               
                 REQUIREMENTS J1398 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Test 
                 Zone Total 
               
               
                   
                 Point 
                 Luminous Intensity, 
               
               
                 Zone 
                 Deg. 
                 Candela, Red 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 1 
                 10U-5L 
                 50 
               
               
                   
                 5U-20L 
               
               
                   
                 5D-20L 
               
               
                   
                 10D-5L 
               
               
                 2 
                 5U-10L 
                 100 
               
               
                   
                 H-10L 
               
               
                   
                 5D-10L 
               
               
                 3 
                 5U-V 
                 380 
               
               
                   
                 H-5L 
               
               
                   
                 H-V 
               
               
                   
                 H-5R 
               
               
                   
                 5D-V 
               
               
                 4 
                 5U-10R 
                 100 
               
               
                   
                 H-10R 
               
               
                   
                 5D-10R 
               
               
                 5 
                 10U-5R 
                 50 
               
               
                   
                 5U-20R 
               
               
                   
                 5D-20R 
               
               
                   
                 10D-5R 
               
               
                 Maximum Luminous 
                   
                 300.0 
               
               
                 Intensity, Candela 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 1. The maximum luminous intensity shall not be exceeded over any area larger than that generated by a 0.5 degree radius within the area defined by the test point pattern of Table 2.  
               
               
                 2. Unless otherwise specified, the lamp shall be considered to have failed the photometric requirements of this document if the luminous intensity at any test point is less than 60% of the values specified in Table 2.  
               
               
                 3. Unless otherwise specified, the lamp shall be considered to have failed the photometric requirements of this document if the minimum luminous intensity between test points is less than 60% of the lower design values of Table 2 for the closest adjacent test points on a horizontal and vertical line as defined by the test point pattern.  
               
               
                 4. The summation of the luminous intensity measurements at the specified test points in the zone shall be at least the values shown.  
               
               
                 5. When a tail lamp or a clearance lamp is combined with a stop lamp, see 6.1.5.2 of this document for luminous intensity ratio requirements.  
               
               
                 6. Throughout the photometric pattern defined by the corner points of 20U-45R, 10D-45R, and 10D-45L, the light intensity shall not be less than 0.4 candela in red.  
               
             
          
         
       
     
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 STOP LAMP PHOTOMETRIC DESIGN GUIDELINES J1398 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Test 
                 Luminous 
               
               
                   
                 Point 
                 Intensity, 
               
               
                   
                 Deg. 
                 Candela, Red 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 10U-5L 
                 16.0 
               
               
                   
                 5R 
                 16.0 
               
               
                   
                 5U-20L 
                 10.0 
               
               
                   
                 10L 
                 30.0 
               
               
                   
                 V 
                 70.0 
               
               
                   
                 10R 
                 30.0 
               
               
                   
                 20R 
                 10.0 
               
               
                   
                 H-10L 
                 40.0 
               
               
                   
                 5L 
                 80.0 
               
               
                   
                 V 
                 80.0 
               
               
                   
                 5R 
                 80.0 
               
               
                   
                 10R 
                 40.0 
               
               
                   
                 5D-20L 
                 10.0 
               
               
                   
                 10L 
                 30.0 
               
               
                   
                 V 
                 70.0 
               
               
                   
                 10R 
                 30.0 
               
               
                   
                 20R 
                 10.0 
               
               
                   
                 10D-5L 
                 16.0 
               
               
                   
                 5R 
                 16.0 
               
               
                   
                 Maximum Luminous 
                 300.0 
               
               
                   
                 Intensity, Candela 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 1. The maximum luminous intensity shall not be exceeded over any area larger than that generated by a 0.25 degree radius within the area defined by the test point pattern of Table 2.  
               
               
                   
                 2. When a tail lamp or a clearance lamp is combined with a stop lamp, see 6.1.5.2 of this document for luminous intensity ratio requirements.  
               
               
                   
                 3. Throughout the photometric pattern defined by the corner points of 20U-45L, 20U-45R, 10D-45R, and 10D-45L, the light intensity shall be not less than 0.4 candela in red.  
               
             
          
         
       
     
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 3 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 TAIL LAMP PHOTOMETRIC REQUIREMENTS (1)(2) J585 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                 Minimum 
                 Minimum 
                 Minimum 
                 Zone Total 
                 Zone Total 
                 Zone Total 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Luminous 
                 Luminous 
                 Luminous 
                 Luminous 
                 Luminous 
                 Luminous 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Intensity 
                 Intensity 
                 Intensity 
                 Intensity 
                 Intensity 
                 Intensity 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (cd)(3) 
                 (cd)(3) 
                 (cd)(3) 
                 (cd)(4) 
                 (cd)(4) 
                 (cd)(4) 
               
               
                   
                 Test 
                 Number 
                 Number 
                 Number 
                 Number 
                 Number 
                 Number 
               
               
                   
                 Points 
                 Lighted 
                 Lighted 
                 Lighted 
                 Lighted 
                 Lighted 
                 Lighted 
               
               
                 Zone 
                 (Degrees) 
                 Sections 1 
                 Sections 2 
                 Sections 3 
                 Sections 1 
                 Sections 2 
                 Sections 3 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 I 
                 10U 5L 
                 0.4 
                 0.7 
                 1.0 
                 1.4 
                 2.4 
                 3.4 
               
               
                   
                 5U 20L 
                 0.3 
                 0.5 
                 0.7 
               
               
                   
                 5D 20L 
                 0.3 
                 0.5 
                 0.7 
               
               
                   
                 10D 5L 
                 0.4 
                 0.7 
                 1.0 
               
               
                 II 
                 5U 
                 0.8 
                 1.4 
                 2.0 
                 2.5 
                 4.2 
                 6.0 
               
               
                   
                 H 10L 
                 0.8 
                 1.4 
                 2.0 
               
               
                   
                 5D 
                 0.8 
                 1.4 
                 2.0 
               
               
                 III 
                 5U V 
                 1.8 
                 3.1 
                 4.5 
                 9.6 
                 16.7 
                 24.0 
               
               
                   
                 H 5L 
                 2.0 
                 3.5 
                 5.0 
               
               
                   
                 H V 
                 2.0 
                 3.5 
                 5.0 
               
               
                   
                 H 5R 
                 2.0 
                 3.5 
                 5.0 
               
               
                   
                 5D V 
                 1.8 
                 3.1 
                 4.5 
               
               
                 IV 
                 5U 
                 0.8 
                 1.4 
                 2.0 
                 2.4 
                 4.2 
                 6.0 
               
               
                   
                 H 10R 
                 0.8 
                 1.4 
                 2.0 
               
               
                   
                 5D 
                 0.8 
                 1.4 
                 2.0 
               
               
                 V 
                 10U 5R 
                 0.4 
                 0.7 
                 1.0 
                 1.4 
                 2.4 
                 3.4 
               
               
                   
                 5U 20R 
                 0.3 
                 0.5 
                 0.7 
               
               
                   
                 5D 20R 
                 0.3 
                 0.5 
                 0.7 
               
               
                   
                 10D 5R 
                 0.4 
                 0.7 
                 1.0 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Maximum Luminous Intensity (cd)(5) 
                 18 
                 20 
                 25 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 1. Ratio requirements of 6.1.5.3 apply.  
               
               
                 2. Multiple compartment lamp or multiple lamps requirements of 6.1.5.2 apply.  
               
               
                 3. The measured value at each individual test point shall not be less than 60% of the required minimum value shown forth at individual test point location.  
               
               
                 4. The sum of the luminous intensity measurements at each test point within a zone shall not be less than the Zone Total Luminous intensity shown according to the number of lighted sections.  
               
               
                 5. The listed maximum shall not be exceeded over any area larger than that generated by a 0.5 degree radius within the solid angle defined by the test points.  
               
             
          
         
       
     
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 4 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 TURN SIGNAL LAMP PHOTOMETRIC PERFORMANCE 
               
               
                 REQUIREMENTS J1395 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                   
                 Zone 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 Zone Total 
                 Total 
                 Zone Total 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Luminous 
                 Luminous 
                 Luminous 
               
               
                   
                 Test 
                 Intensity, 
                 Intensity, 
                 Intensity, 
               
               
                   
                 Point 
                 Candela, 
                 Candela, 
                 Candela, 
               
               
                 Zone 
                 Deg. 
                 Yellow Front 
                 Red Rear 
                 Yellow Rear 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 1 
                 10U-5L 
                 130.0 
                 50.0 
                 84.0 
               
               
                   
                 5U-20L 
               
               
                   
                 5D-20L 
               
               
                   
                 10D-5L 
               
               
                 2 
                 5U-10L 
                 250.0 
                 100.0 
                 165.0 
               
               
                   
                 H-10L 
               
               
                   
                 5D-10L 
               
               
                 3 
                 5U-V 
                 950.0 
                 380.0 
                 610.0 
               
               
                   
                 H-5L 
               
               
                   
                 H-V 
               
               
                   
                 H-5R 
               
               
                   
                 5D-V 
               
               
                 4 
                 5U-10R 
                 250.0 
                 100.0 
                 165.0 
               
               
                   
                 H-10R 
               
               
                   
                 5D-10R 
               
               
                 5 
                 10U-5R 
                 130.0 
                 50.0 
                 84.0 
               
               
                   
                 5U-20R 
               
               
                   
                 5D-20R 
               
               
                   
                 10D-5R 
               
               
                 Maximum Luminous 
                   
                 — 
                 300.0 
                 750.0 
               
               
                 Intensity, Candela 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 1. The maximum luminous intensity shall not be exceeded over any area larger than that generated by a 0.5 degree radius within the area defined by the test point pattern of Table 2.  
               
               
                 2. Unless otherwise specified, the lamp shall be considered to have failed the photometric requirements of this document if the luminous intensity at any test point is less than 60% of the values specified in Table 2.  
               
               
                 3. Unless otherwise specified, the lamp shall be considered to have failed the photometric requirements of this document if the minimum luminous intensity between test points is less than 60% of the lower design values of Table 2 for the closest adjacent test points on a horizontal and vertical line as defined by the test point pattern.  
               
               
                 4. The summation of the luminous intensity measurements at the specified test points in the zone shall be at least the values shown.  
               
               
                 5. When a tail lamp, clearance lamp, or a parking lamp is combined with a turn signal lamp, see 6.1.5.2 of this document for luminous intensity ratio requirements.  
               
               
                 6. Throughout the photometric pattern defined by the corner points of 20U-45L, 20U-45R, 10D-45R, and 10D-45L, the light intensity shall be not less than 0.4 candela in red or 1.0 candela in yellow for the rear turn signal lamp and 1.25 candela in yellow for the front turn signal lamp.  
               
             
          
         
       
     
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 5 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 TURN SIGNAL LAMP PHOTOMETRIC DESIGN 
               
               
                 GUIDELINES J1395 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Luminous 
                 Luminous 
                 Luminous 
               
               
                 Test 
                 Intensity, 
                 Intensity, 
                 Intensity, 
               
               
                 Point 
                 Candela, 
                 Candela, 
                 Candela, 
               
               
                 Deg. 
                 Yellow Front 
                 Red Rear 
                 Yellow Rear 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 10U-5L 
                 40.0 
                 16.0 
                 27.0 
               
               
                 5R 
                 40.0 
                 16.0 
                 27.0 
               
               
                 5U-20L 
                 25.0 
                 10.0 
                 15.0 
               
               
                 10L 
                 75.0 
                 30.0 
                 50.0 
               
               
                 V 
                 175.0 
                 70.0 
                 110.0 
               
               
                 10R 
                 75.0 
                 30.0 
                 50.0 
               
               
                 20R 
                 25.0 
                 10.0 
                 15.0 
               
               
                 H-10L 
                 100.0 
                 40.0 
                 65.0 
               
               
                 5L 
                 200.0 
                 80.0 
                 130.0 
               
               
                 V 
                 200.0 
                 80.0 
                 130.0 
               
               
                 5R 
                 200.0 
                 80.0 
                 130.0 
               
               
                 10R 
                 100.0 
                 40.0 
                 65.0 
               
               
                 5D-20L 
                 25.0 
                 10.0 
                 15.0 
               
               
                 10L 
                 75.0 
                 30.0 
                 50.0 
               
               
                 V 
                 175.0 
                 70.0 
                 110.0 
               
               
                 10R 
                 75.0 
                 30.0 
                 50.0 
               
               
                 20R 
                 25.0 
                 10.0 
                 15.0 
               
               
                 10D-5L 
                 40.0 
                 16.0 
                 27.0 
               
               
                 5R 
                 40.0 
                 16.0 
                 27.0 
               
               
                 Maximum Luminous 
                 — 
                 300.0 
                 750.0 
               
               
                 Intensity, Candela 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 1. The maximum luminous intensity shall not be exceeded over any area larger than that generated by a 0.25 degree radius within the area defined by the test point pattern of Table 2.  
               
               
                 2. When a tail lamp, clearance lamp, or a parking lamp is combined with a turn signal lamp, see 6.1.5.2 of this document for luminous intensity ratio requirements.  
               
               
                 3. Throughout the photometric pattern defined by the corner points of 20U-45L, 20U-45R, 10D-45R, and 10D-45L, the light intensity shall be not less than 0.4 candela in red or 1.0 candela in yellow for the rear turn signal lamps or 1.25 candela in yellow for the front turn signal lamp.  
               
             
          
         
       
     
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 6 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 CLEARANCE, SIDE MARKER, AND IDENTIFICATION 
               
               
                 LAMPS - PHOTOMETRIC REQUIREMENTS SAE J592 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                 Minimum Luminous 
                 Minimum Luminous 
               
               
                   
                 Test 
                 Intensity (cd) 
                 Intensity (cd) 
               
               
                   
                 Point 1,2   
                 See Notes 3,4   
                 See Notes 3,4   
               
               
                 Zone 
                 Deg. 
                 Red 
                 Yellow 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 1 
                 45L-10U 
                 0.75 
                 1.86 
               
               
                   
                 45L-H 
               
               
                   
                 45L-10D 
               
               
                 2 
                 V-10U 
                 0.75 
                 1.86 
               
               
                   
                 V-H 
               
               
                   
                 V-10D 
               
               
                 3 
                 45R-10U 
                 0.75 
                 1.86 
               
               
                   
                 45R-H 
               
               
                   
                 45R-10D 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   1 Maximum luminous intensities of red clearance and identification lamps shall not exceed 18 cd within the solid cone angel 45L to 45R and 10U to 10D. When red clearance lamps are optically combined with stop or turn signal lamps, the maximum applies only on or above the horizontal. The maximum luminous intensity shall not be exceeded over any area larger than that generated by a 0.5 degree radius within the solid cone angle prescribed by the test points.  
               
               
                   2 The requirements for side markers used on vehicles less than 2032 mm wide need only be met for inboard test points at a distance of 4.6 m from the vehicle on a vertical plane that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and located midway between the front and rear side marker lamps.  
               
               
                   3 When calculating zone totals, the measured value at each test point shall not be less than 60% of the minimum values in Table 7.  
               
               
                   4 Combination Clearance and side marker lamps shall conform with both clearance and side marker photometric performance requirements.  
               
             
          
         
       
     
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 7 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 CLEARANCE, SIDE MARKER, AND IDENTIFICATION 
               
               
                 LAMPS - PHOTOMETRIC DESIGN GUIDELINES SAE J592 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                   
                 Minimum Luminous 
                 Minimum Luminous 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Test 
                 Intensity (cd) 
                 Intensity (cd) 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Point 
                 See Notes 2   
                 See Notes 2   
               
               
                   
                   
                 (Degrees) 
                 Red 1   
                 Yellow 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 10U 
                 45L 
                 0.25 
                 0.62 
               
               
                   
                   
                 V 
                 0.25 
                 0.62 
               
               
                   
                   
                 45R 
                 0.25 
                 0.62 
               
               
                   
                 H 
                 45L 
                 0.25 
                 0.62 
               
               
                   
                   
                 V 
                 0.25 
                 0.62 
               
               
                   
                   
                 45R 
                 0.25 
                 0.62 
               
               
                   
                 10D 
                 45L 
                 0.25 
                 0.62 
               
               
                   
                   
                 V 
                 0.25 
                 0.62 
               
               
                   
                   
                 45R 
                 0.25 
                 0.62 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                   1 The maximum design value of a lamp intended for the rear of the vehicle should not be exceeded in the listed design maximum over any area larger than that generated by 0.25 degree radius within the solid angle defined by the test points in Table 7.  
               
               
                   
                   2 For combined clearance and side marker lamps, both the clearance and side marker photometric design values should apply.  
               
             
          
         
       
     
     It should be noted however, that the corresponding SAE Standards that form part of FMVSS 108, 49 C.F.R. §571.108 (2000) may be earlier versions of J585, J1395, J1398, and J592e. The photometric requirements of these earlier versions are not set forth herein, However, SAE Standards J585, J1395, J1398, and J592e in their entirety, can be found at the Society of Automotive Engineers website. FMVSS 108, 49 C.F.R. §571.108 (2000) can be found at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of a single light emitting diode stop/tail/turn/marker vehicular lamp. 
     FIG. 2 is a cross section along the length of a first embodiment of a single light emitting diode stop/tail/turn/marker vehicular lamp. 
     FIG. 3 is a top view of the rear surface of a lens for a first embodiment of a single light emitting diode stop/tail/turn/marker vehicular lamp. 
     FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross sectional view of an individual prism ring that illustrates the manner in which light emitted from a light emitting diode is directed by a catadioptric prism. 
     FIG. 5 is a cross section along the width of a first embodiment of a single light emitting diode stop/tail/turn/marker lamp that illustrates the manner in which light emitted from a light emitting diode is distributed by the lens. 
     FIG. 6 is a partial cross section along the longitudinal axis of the lens in a first embodiment. 
     FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of a single light emitting diode stop/tail/turn/marker vehicular lamp. 
     FIG. 8 is a cross section along the length of a second embodiment of a single light emitting diode stop/tail/turn/marker vehicular lamp. 
     FIG. 9 is a top view of the rear surface of a lens for a second embodiment of a single light emitting diode stop/tail/turn/marker vehicular lamp. 
     FIG. 10 is a cross section along the width of a second embodiment of a single light emitting diode stop/tail/turn/marker lamp. 
     FIG. 11 illustrates the distribution of light vertically and horizontally when the first embodiment of the stop/tail/turn/marker lamp is mounted on the back of a vehicle. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the present invention, references are made in the text hereof to embodiments of a stop/tail/turn/marker vehicular lamp, some of which are depicted in the drawings. It is nevertheless understood that no limitations to the scope of the invention are thereby intended. One of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that modifications such as these involving the type of light emitting diode, number of light emitting diodes, geometry of the lamp, shape of the lens, and type and placement of optical elements of the lens, do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Some of these possible modifications are mentioned in the following description. 
     Moreover, the term “substantially” or “approximately” as used herein may be applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. For example, a stop/tail/turn/marker lamp as disclosed herein as having a substantially oval shape might permissibly have a somewhat non-oval shape within the scope of the invention if its capability of functioning as a stop/tail/turn/marker lamp is not materially altered. 
     In the embodiments depicted, like reference numerals refer to identical structural elements in the various drawings. 
     FIG. 1 depicts an exploded perspective view of lamp  100 , one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, lamp  100  functions as a stop/tail/turn/marker lamp for a vehicle, such as a truck. Lamp  100  is shown to include housing  120 , lens  110 , circuit board  180 , heat sink  360  and light emitting diode  160 . Lens  110  has side wall  340  and front wall  350 . 
     FIG. 2 is a cross section of lamp  100  along longitudinal axis C (as shown in FIG.  3 ). Longitudinal axis C is defined as the longitudinal axis that divides lamp  100  into two equal parts along the length of lamp  100 . As in FIG. 1, lamp  100  is shown to include housing  120 , lens  110 , circuit board  180 , heat sink  360  and light emitting diode  160 . Lens  110  is adapted to engage with housing  120 . For example, side wall  340  can be hermetically sealed to housing  120  to protect lamp  100  against entry of dirt and contaminants. In an alternate embodiment, side wall  340  of lens  110  can be adapted to be removably secured to housing  120 . 
     Front wall  350  of lens  110  has a rear surface  190  and a front surface  191 , wherein rear surface  190  faces inward, toward light emitting diode  160  when lamp  100  is assembled, and front surface  191  faces outward, away from the vehicle surface when lamp  100  is mounted. Front surface  191  is a smooth surface, while rear surface  190  has integral lens elements for dispersing the incident light emitted from light emitting diode  160 . Front wall  350  of lens  110  is a curved spherical wall, curving slightly outward in the middle section of lens  110 , with a spherical radius of approximately 32 inches. 
     Lens  110  is a one-piece, transparent polycarbonate molding. To allow lamp  100  to function as a stop/tail/turn lamp, lens  110  is tinted red. In alternate embodiments, one could employ different colors of polycarbonate, such as amber or clear. Moreover, lens  110  could be made from other materials, such as glass. However, one of ordinary skill in the art should readily appreciate that, due to changes in the angle of refraction of glass, the angle and configuration of the optics will differ if glass is used as the material for lens  110  (rather than polycarbonate). In the embodiment shown here, housing  120  also is made from a polycarbonate material. One of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate, however, that other materials, including but not limited to acrylic, can be used for housing  120 . 
     In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, heat sink  360  is adapted to secure to planar base  200  of housing  120  to dissipate excess heat away from light emitting diode  160 . In this embodiment, heat sink  360  is made from steel. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that heat sink  360  can be made of aluminum, or any other heat dissipating material. FIG. 2 further illustrates power input module  90  molded in base  200  of housing  120  and adapted to connect lamp  100  into the electrical system of a vehicle. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, first potting cavity  170  is formed in housing  120  around light emitting diode  160  and heat sink  360 . In addition, second potting cavity  181  is formed in housing  120  around circuit board  180 . Lamp  100  is adapted to be mounted to a vehicle either horizontally or vertically with a grommet (not shown) and, therefore, no flange is present in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. 
     Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a single light emitting diode  160  is adapted to secure to base  200  of housing  120  as a light source. In this embodiment, light emitting diode  160  is disposed such that the optical axis X of light emitting diode  160  is normal to the plane of lens front wall  350 . Moreover, light emitting diode  160  is adapted to contact heat sink  360 . Light emitting diode  160  is a high-flux light emitting diode. As used herein, a high-flux light emitting diode is defined as a light emitting diode capable of emitting a minimum flux of approximately 20 Lumens. In this embodiment, light emitting diode  160  is a Lambertian source with a minimum flux of approximately 20 Lumens. As a Lambertian source, the radiation pattern generated by light emitting diode  160  is emitted at an included angle slightly great than 180 degrees. More specifically, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a red Luxeon™ Lambertian-style light emitting diode manufactured by LumiLeds, capable of producing a flux of approximately 20 to 55 Lumens, is used. One of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate, however, that other light emitting diodes capable of emitting a minimum flux of approximately 20 Lumens can be used as a light source. Moreover, a high-flux light emitting diode with a “bat-wing” radiation pattern or a “side-firing” light emitting diode can be used. 
     To provide power to light emitting diode  160 , circuit board  180  is secured to planar base  200 . Circuit board  180  is a printed circuit board having two isolation diode rectifiers and has resistors to maintain the proper current through light emitting diode  160  at an input voltage of 13.5 Volts, which is desirable. One of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate, however, that other mechanisms for providing power to the light emitting diodes can be used. For example, in another embodiment of the invention (not shown), a circuit board having three terminal adjustable regulators to regulate current through the high-flux light emitting diode can be used to achieve an input voltage of 13.5 Volts. In addition, a switching power supply method can be employed. 
     FIG. 3 depicts a top view of rear surface  190  of lens  110 . Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, lens  110  and housing  120  are substantially oval to comprise one type of stop/tail/turn/marker vehicular lamp. In another embodiment (not shown), lens  110  and housing  120  are substantially circular to comprise a second type of vehicular lamp. One of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that other housing and lens shapes can be utilized to constitute other varieties of vehicular lamps, such as those suitable as clearance and marker lamps, without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. 
     In FIG. 3, lens front wall  350  is shown to have a plurality of prism rings  140  integrally formed on rear surface  190 . Additionally, front wall  350  has linear prism optics  150  and aspheric center lens  151  integrally formed on rear surface  190 . As further shown in FIG. 3, the plurality of prism rings  140 , linear prism optics  150  and aspheric center lens  151  collectively cover the entire front wall  350  of lens  110 . In this embodiment, when lens  110  is engaged with housing  120 , center lens  151  is disposed directly opposite light emitting diode  160 . The combination of prism rings  140 , linear prism optics  150  and aspheric center lens  151  allow lamp  100  to satisfy the photometric requirements of Standards J585, J1395, J1398 and J592, as referenced herein, when lamp  100  is mounted horizontally or vertically on a vehicle. 
     Prism rings  140  are a plurality of concentric rings progressing outwardly from center lens  151 . In this embodiment, there are approximately thirty-five (35) individual concentric prism rings  140 . Prism rings  140  are structured as catadioptric prisms. As used herein, a catadioptric prism is an optical lens element that disperses light by both refraction and reflection. 
     FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a cross section of an individual prism ring  140 , which, as mentioned above, is structured as a catadioptric prism. Each individual prism ring  140  has a tip  310 , inside edge  260 , outside edge  270 , and well  300 . In this embodiment, tips  310  have a narrow curvature with a cross-sectional radius ranging from approximately 0.005 to 0.010 inches. Light emitted from light emitting diode  160  and impinging on inside edge  260  and outside edge  270  produce a catadioptric effect, given the surface design of edges  260  and  270 , as shown in FIG.  4 . The surfaces of outside edge  270  and inside edge  260 , as well as tips  310 , were designed for desired light distribution functions using the modeling programs described infra. Additionally, the specific geometry of the prism rings  140  is discussed in detail infra. 
     With further reference to FIG. 4, the catadioptric effect is achieved when light ray  220 , emitted from light emitting diode  160 , impinges prism ring  140  at inside edge  260  and is thereby refracted toward outside edge  270 , resulting in refracted light ray  230 ; refracted light ray  230 , traveling through prism ring  140 , then impinges on outside edge  270  and is reflected, resulting in reflected light ray  240 ; light ray  240  is then transmitted through lens  110  and is refracted at front surface  191 , resulting in output light ray  250 . One of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that the curvature and angle of edges  260  and  270  can be varied using the modeling programs described infra to produce the precise horizontal and vertical light distribution pattern desired. 
     FIG. 5 is a cross section along vertical axis D (as shown in FIG. 3) of lamp  100 . Vertical axis D is defined as the vertical axis that divides lamp  100  into two equal parts along the width of lamp  100 . FIG. 5 depicts the manner in which light emitted from light emitting diode  160  is distributed by lens  110 . As shown here, center lens  151  is structured as a “Through Optic”. As used herein, a “Through Optic” is an optical lens element that disperses light by refraction only. More specifically, the “Through Optic” effect is achieved by center lens  151  in the following manner: when light ray  220  emitted from light emitting diode  160  impinges on the surface of center lens  151 , the surface of center optic  151  refracts light rays  220  through lens  110  as light ray  270  to form light rays  280 . Center lens  151  produces a smooth distribution out to approximately 10 degrees. Linear prism optics  150  (not shown here) aim the light left and right of center for vertically mounted lamps. As described above and shown in FIG. 4, prism rings  140  are structured as catadioptric prisms that disperse light ray  220  emitted by light emitting diode  160  by both refraction and reflection, resulting in output light ray  250 . 
     Prism rings  140 , center lens  151  and linear prism optics  150  disperse the light emitted from light emitting diode  160  vertically and horizontally. More specifically, prism rings  140  reflect and refract the incident light so that the output beam has an angulation of approximately 0 degrees to +/−25 degrees. Linear prism optics  150  reflect and refract the incident light so that the output beam has an angulation of approximately 0 degrees to +/−15 degrees. Additionally, aspheric center lens  151  refracts the incident light to produce an output beam with a smooth angulation of approximately 0 to +/−10 degrees. The resultant individual output beams combine to form a composite light distribution that satisfies the photometric requirements of SAE Standards J585, J1395, J1398 and J592, as referenced herein, when lamp  100  is mounted horizontally or vertically on a vehicle. 
     In general, according to the SAE standards, the composite light distribution is required to have a minimum beam angulation of at least 10° above and below longitudinal axis C (in the vertical plane). In the horizontal plane, the composite light distribution is required to have a minimum angulation of at least 20° left and right of vertical axis D to satisfy the stop, turn and tail lamp standards, and a minimum angulation of at least 45° left and right of the vertical axis D to satisfy the marker lamp standards. The specific luminous intensities required by the SAE standards at points in space are provided in Tables 1-7 set forth above. 
     As shown in FIG. 5, light emitting diode  160  and heat sink  360  may be potted with epoxy. One of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that other potting materials, including but not limited to, urethane or silicone, can be used. As further shown in FIG. 5, the epoxy may not exceed line  60 . One of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate, however, that if lamp  100  is not potted, first potting cavity  170  and second potting cavity  181  are not necessary. 
     FIG. 6 is a partial cross section of lens  110  along longitudinal axis C. With reference to FIG. 6, the specific geometries of linear prism optics  150   a - 150   g  and each prism ring  140   a - 140   aa  can be found in Table 8 set forth below. As further shown in FIG. 6, the convex portion of center lens  151  has a radius of 1.13 inches and the concave portion of center lens  151  has a radius of 0.46 inches. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 8 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 Distance 
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 from 
                   
                   
                 RADIUS OF 
               
               
                   
                 Center 
                   
                   
                 CURVATURE 
               
               
                   
                 (L) 
                 ANGLE E 
                 ANGLE F 
                 (R) 
               
               
                 OPTIC 
                 (inches) 
                 (degrees) 
                 (degrees) 
                 (inches) 
                 TYPE 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 150a 
                 0.52 
                 5 
                 40 
                 NONE 
                 RING 
               
               
                 150b 
                 0.6 
                 5 
                 39.8 
                 NONE 
                 RING 
               
               
                 150c 
                 0.68 
                 5 
                 42.3 
                 NONE 
                 RING 
               
               
                 150d 
                 0.76 
                 5 
                 41.7 
                 NONE 
                 RING 
               
               
                 150e 
                 .084 
                 5 
                 42.4 
                 NONE 
                 RING 
               
               
                 150e′ 
                 0.86 
                 25 
                 62.2 
                 NONE 
                 LINEAR 
               
               
                 150f 
                 0.95 
                 5 
                 42.5 
                 NONE 
                 LINEAR 
               
               
                 150g 
                 1.04 
                 5 
                 43 
                 NONE 
                 LINEAR 
               
               
                 140a 
                 1.11 
                 23 
                 54.6 
                 NONE 
                 RING 
               
               
                 140b 
                 1.17 
                 22.6 
                 54.5 
                 0.5 
                 RING 
               
               
                 140c 
                 1.24 
                 22.5 
                 54.7 
                 0.5 
                 RING 
               
               
                 140d 
                 1.31 
                 22 
                 54.1 
                 0.43 
                 RING 
               
               
                 140e 
                 1.37 
                 21.5 
                 53.1 
                 0.36 
                 RING 
               
               
                 140f 
                 1.44 
                 20.1 
                 52.3 
                 0.36 
                 RING 
               
               
                 140g 
                 1.51 
                 20.4 
                 52.3 
                 0.36 
                 RING 
               
               
                 140h 
                 1.58 
                 20.18 
                 50 
                 0.35 
                 RING 
               
               
                 140i 
                 1.65 
                 19.5 
                 49 
                 0.35 
                 RING 
               
               
                 140j 
                 1.71 
                 19.3 
                 49 
                 0.5 
                 RING 
               
               
                 140k 
                 1.78 
                 18.7 
                 49 
                 0.44 
                 RING 
               
               
                 140l 
                 1.85 
                 18 
                 48 
                 0.46 
                 RING 
               
               
                 140m 
                 1.92 
                 17.6 
                 47.6 
                 0.46 
                 RING 
               
               
                 140n 
                 1.99 
                 17 
                 46.2 
                 0.34 
                 RING 
               
               
                 140o 
                 2.06 
                 16.5 
                 46 
                 0.41 
                 RING 
               
               
                 140p 
                 2.13 
                 16.2 
                 45.4 
                 0.37 
                 RING 
               
               
                 140q 
                 2.20 
                 15.5 
                 44 
                 0.31 
                 RING 
               
               
                 140r 
                 2.27 
                 15 
                 43.4 
                 0.31 
                 RING 
               
               
                 140s 
                 2.34 
                 14.7 
                 43 
                 0.31 
                 RING 
               
               
                 140t 
                 2.41 
                 14.23 
                 42.5 
                 0.31 
                 RING 
               
               
                 140u 
                 2.49 
                 13.6 
                 42.3 
                 0.26 
                 RING 
               
               
                 140v 
                 2.56 
                 13 
                 39.5 
                 0.25 
                 RING 
               
               
                 140w 
                 2.63 
                 12.5 
                 39.3 
                 0.24 
                 RING 
               
               
                 140x 
                 2.70 
                 12 
                 38.7 
                 0.24 
                 RING 
               
               
                 140y 
                 2.77 
                 11.7 
                 38.7 
                 0.24 
                 RING 
               
               
                 140z 
                 2.84 
                 11 
                 38.9 
                 0.24 
                 RING 
               
               
                 140aa 
                 2.91 
                 11 
                 44.4 
                 0.24 
                 RING 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     FIG. 7 illustrates an exploded perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention, stop/tail//turn/marker lamp  10 . Similar to lamp  100  disclosed in FIGS. 1-4, lamp  10  is shown to include housing  12 , lens  11 , circuit board  18 , heat sink  36  and light emitting diode  16 . In this embodiment, housing  12  has a planar base  20  and flange  33 . Lens  11 , comprising side wall  34  and front wall  35 , is adapted to engage with housing  12 , as described above. 
     FIG. 8 is a cross section along longitudinal axis A (as shown in FIG. 9) of lamp  10 . Longitudinal axis A is defined as the longitudinal axis that divides lamp  10  into two equal parts along the length of lamp  10 . As in FIG. 6, lamp  10  is shown to include housing  12 , lens  11 , circuit board  18 , heat sink  36  and one light emitting diode  16 . Housing  12  has a planar base  20 . In lamp  10 , heat sink  36  is secured to planar base  20 . 
     Lens  11  is a one-piece, transparent polycarbonate molding. Like front wall  350  of lens  110 , front wall  35  of lens  11  has a rear surface  90  and a front surface  91 , wherein rear surface  90  faces inward, toward light emitting diode  16  when lamp  10  is assembled, and front surface  91  faces outward, away from the vehicle surface when lamp  10  is mounted. Front surface  91  is a smooth surface, while rear surface  90  has integral lens elements for dispersing the incident light emitted from light emitting diode  16 . Front wall  35  of lens  11  is a curved spherical wall, curving slightly outward in the middle section of lens  11 , with a spherical radius of approximately 32 inches. 
     As in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, first potting cavity  17  is formed in housing  12  around light emitting diode  16  and heat sink  36 , and second potting cavity  19  is formed in housing  12  around circuit board  18 . As illustrated in FIG. 6, lens  11  and housing  12  are substantially oval. Lamp  10  is adapted to be mounted on a vehicle with flange  33  either horizontally or vertically. In the embodiment shown here, a red transparent polycarbonate material is used for lens  11  and a polycarbonate material is used for housing  12 . Circuit board  18  is secured to base  20  to provide power to light emitting diode  16 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, a single light emitting diode  16  is secured to base  20  as a light source. Light emitting diode  16  is disposed such that the optical axis X of light emitting diode  16  is normal to the plane of lens front wall  35 . As in the previous embodiment, light emitting diode  16  is a high-flux light emitting diode, capable of emitting a light beam with a substantially Lambertian radiation pattern and a minimum flux of approximately 20 Lumens. More specifically, light emitting diode  16  is a red Luxeon™ Lambertian style light emitting diode manufactured by LumiLeds. As discussed above, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate, however, that other light emitting diodes with a minimum flux of 20 Lumens can be used as a light source. Moreover, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that instead of a single light emitting diode, a small number of light emitting diodes can be used without varying from the scope of the invention. For example, the required flux can be achieved by using two or three light emitting diodes. 
     FIG. 9 depicts a top view of rear surface  90  of lens  11 . In FIG. 9, lens front wall  35  is shown to have a plurality of prism rings  14  integrally formed on rear surface  90 . Prism rings  14  are concentric rings integrally formed on rear surface  90  of lens  11 . In this embodiment, there are approximately thirty-seven (37) individual concentric prism rings  14 . Additionally, front wall  35  is shown to have a substantially circular center optic  15  integrally formed on rear surface  90 . The plurality of prism rings  14  and center optic  15  collectively cover the entire front wall  35  of lens  11 . The combination of prism rings  14  and center optic  15  allow lamp  10  to satisfy the photometric requirements of Standards J585, J1395, J1398 and J592, as referenced herein, when lamp  10  is mounted horizontally on a vehicle. 
     Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, center optic  15  comprises a substantially circular, convex portion  15   a  and a substantially planar, annular portion  15   b . Center optic  15  also comprises two concentric rings  15   c  and  15   d  progressing outwardly from annular portion  15   b . In this embodiment, when lens  11  is engaged with housing  12 , convex portion  15   a  is disposed directly opposite light emitting diode  16 . Center optic  15  is structured as a “Through Optic”. As discussed above, a “Through Optic” is an optical lens element that disperses light by refraction only. 
     FIG. 10 is a cross section along vertical axis B (as shown in FIG. 9) of lamp  10 . Vertical axis B is defined as the vertical axis that divides lamp  10  into two equal parts along the width of lamp  10 . FIG. 10 illustrates the manner in which light emitted from light emitting diode  16  is distributed by prism rings  14 . Prism rings  14  are structured as catadioptric prisms and disperse the light emitted from light emitting diode  16  vertically and horizontally in varying intensities. Like prism rings  140  discussed supra, each individual prism ring  14  has a tip  31  and well  30 . FIG. 10 further depicts inside edge  26  and outside edge  27 , which together produce a catadioptric effect. More specifically, the catadioptric effect is achieved when light ray  22 , emitted from light emitting diode  16 , impinges prism ring  14  at inside edge  26  and is thereby refracted toward outside edge  27 , resulting in refracted light ray  23 ; refracted light ray  23 , traveling through prism ring  14 , then impinges on outside edge  27  and is reflected, resulting in reflected light ray  24 ; light ray  24  is then transmitted through lens  11  and is refracted at front surface  91 , resulting in output light ray  25 . 
     As shown here, center optic  15  produces a “Through Optic” effect, which is characterized by a distribution of light by refraction alone. More specifically, the “Through Optic” effect is achieved by center optic  15  in the following manner: when light ray  22  emitted from light emitting diode  16  impinges on the surface of center optic  15 , the surface of center optic  15  refracts light rays  22  through lens  11  as light ray  22  to form light rays  28 . 
     Prism rings  14  and center optic  15  disperse the light emitted from light emitting diode  16  vertically and horizontally. More specifically, prism rings  14  reflect and refract the incident light so that the output beam has an angulation of approximately 0 degrees to +/−25 degrees. Additionally, center optic  15  refracts the incident light so that the output beam has an angulation of approximately 0 degrees to +/−17 degrees. The resultant individual output beams combine to form a composite light distribution that satisfies the photometric requirements of SAE Standards J585, J1395, J1398 and J592, as referenced herein, when lamp  10  is mounted horizontally on a vehicle. 
     FIG. 11 is a rear end view of vehicle  50  that illustrates how light is distributed vertically and horizontally when lamp  100  is mounted horizontally on the back of vehicle  50  and used as a marker lamp. Specifically, FIG. 11 illustrates the resulting light distribution above and below horizontal axis C of lamp  100 . FIG. 11 also illustrates the resulting light distribution along horizontal axis C of lamp  100  at an angle that is 45 degrees to the left and right of vertical axis D. Referring to FIG. 11, the distribution pattern generated by the lens elements allow lamp  100  to perform the marker function pursuant to SAE standards. The light distribution pattern shown in FIG. 11 would be similar when used as a stop lamp. Test analysis for lamp  100 , mounted both horizontally and vertically, are included as Tables 9-12. These test results show that lamp  100  satisfies the SAE requirements for the stop and tail functions when mounted either horizontally or vertically. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 9 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Stop Function in Horizontal Position 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 SPEC- 
               
               
                 Area 
                 Result 
                 Value 
                 Min 
                 SPEC-Min 
                 Max 
                 Max 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 “10U-5L” 
                 “Pass” 
                 37.994 
                 37.994 
                 16.00 
                 37.994 
                 300.000 
               
               
                 “10U-5R” 
                 “Pass” 
                 42.640 
                 42.640 
                 16.000 
                 42.640 
                 300.000 
               
               
                 “10D-5L” 
                 “Pass” 
                 47.973 
                 47.973 
                 16.000 
                 47.973 
                 300.000 
               
               
                 “10D-5R” 
                 “Pass” 
                 42.577 
                 42.577 
                 16.000 
                 42.577 
                 300.000 
               
               
                 “5U-20L” 
                 “Pass” 
                 30.554 
                 30.554 
                 10.000 
                 30.554 
                 300.000 
               
               
                 “5U-20R” 
                 “Pass” 
                 29.241 
                 29.241 
                 10.000 
                 29.241 
                 300.000 
               
               
                 “5D-20L” 
                 “Pass” 
                 31.352 
                 31.352 
                 10.000 
                 31.352 
                 300.000 
               
               
                 “5D-20R” 
                 “Pass” 
                 26.806 
                 26.806 
                 10.000 
                 26.806 
                 300.000 
               
               
                 “5U-10L” 
                 “Pass” 
                 39.811 
                 39.811 
                 30.000 
                 39.811 
                 300.000 
               
               
                 “5U-10R” 
                 “Pass” 
                 39.144 
                 39.144 
                 30.000 
                 39.144 
                 300.000 
               
               
                 “5D-10L” 
                 “Pass” 
                 37.921 
                 37.921 
                 30.000 
                 37.921 
                 300.000 
               
               
                 “5D-10R” 
                 “Pass” 
                 40.140 
                 40.140 
                 30.000 
                 40.140 
                 300.000 
               
               
                 “5U-V” 
                 “Pass” 
                 95.497 
                 95.497 
                 70.000 
                 95.497 
                 300.000 
               
               
                 “5D-V” 
                 “Pass” 
                 97.002 
                 97.002 
                 70.000 
                 97.002 
                 300.000 
               
               
                 “H-10L” 
                 “Pass” 
                 60.383 
                 60.383 
                 40.000 
                 60.383 
                 300.000 
               
               
                 “H-10R” 
                 “Pass” 
                 64.396 
                 64.396 
                 40.000 
                 64.396 
                 300.000 
               
               
                 “H-5L” 
                 “Pass” 
                 86.810 
                 86.810 
                 80.000 
                 86.810 
                 300.000 
               
               
                 “H-5R” 
                 “Pass” 
                 86.450 
                 86.450 
                 80.000 
                 86.450 
                 300.000 
               
               
                 “H-V” 
                 “Pass” 
                 198.912 
                 198.912 
                 80.000 
                 198.912 
                 300.000 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 10 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Stop Function in Vertical Position 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 SPEC 
               
               
                 Area 
                 Result 
                 Value 
                 Min 
                 SPEC-Min 
                 Max 
                 Max 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 “10U-5L” 
                 “Pass” 
                 50.706 
                 50.706 
                 16.000 
                 50.706 
                 300.000 
               
               
                 “10U-5R” 
                 “Pass” 
                 44.654 
                 44.654 
                 16.000 
                 44.654 
                 300.000 
               
               
                 “10D-5L” 
                 “Pass” 
                 46.019 
                 46.019 
                 16.000 
                 46.019 
                 300.000 
               
               
                 “10D-5R” 
                 “Pass” 
                 52.799 
                 52.799 
                 16.000 
                 52.799 
                 300.000 
               
               
                 “5U-20L” 
                 “Pass” 
                 33.761 
                 33.761 
                 10.000 
                 33.761 
                 300.000 
               
               
                 “5U-20R” 
                 “Pass” 
                 32.331 
                 32.331 
                 10.000 
                 32.331 
                 300.000 
               
               
                 “5D-20L” 
                 “Pass” 
                 29.836 
                 29.836 
                 10.000 
                 29.836 
                 300.000 
               
               
                 “5D-20R” 
                 “Pass” 
                 35.501 
                 35.501 
                 10.000 
                 35.501 
                 300.000 
               
               
                 “5U-10L” 
                 “Pass” 
                 46.217 
                 46.217 
                 30.000 
                 46.217 
                 300.000 
               
               
                 “5U-10R” 
                 “Pass” 
                 46.632 
                 46.632 
                 30.000 
                 46.632 
                 300.000 
               
               
                 “5D-10L” 
                 “Pass” 
                 44.529 
                 44.529 
                 30.000 
                 44.529 
                 300.000 
               
               
                 “5D-10R” 
                 “Pass” 
                 42.832 
                 42.832 
                 30.000 
                 42.832 
                 300.000 
               
               
                 “5U-V” 
                 “Pass” 
                 113.438 
                 113.438 
                 70.000 
                 113.438 
                 300.000 
               
               
                 “5D-V” 
                 “Pass” 
                 106.337 
                 106.337 
                 70.000 
                 106.337 
                 300.000 
               
               
                 “H-10L” 
                 “Pass” 
                 73.817 
                 73.817 
                 40.000 
                 73.817 
                 300.000 
               
               
                 “H-10R” 
                 “Pass” 
                 65.972 
                 65.972 
                 40.000 
                 65.972 
                 300.000 
               
               
                 “H-5L” 
                 “Pass” 
                 88.375 
                 88.375 
                 80.000 
                 88.375 
                 300.000 
               
               
                 “H-5R” 
                 “Pass” 
                 100.567 
                 100.567 
                 80.000 
                 100.567 
                 300.000 
               
               
                 “H-V” 
                 “Pass” 
                 222.313 
                 222.313 
                 80.000 
                 222.313 
                 300.000 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 11 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Tail Function in Horizontal Position 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 SPEC- 
               
               
                 Area 
                 Result 
                 Value 
                 Min 
                 SPEC-Min 
                 Max 
                 Max 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 “10U-5L” 
                 “Pass” 
                 3.972 
                 3.972 
                 0.400 
                 3.972 
                   
               
               
                 “10U-5R” 
                 “Pass” 
                 3.732 
                 3.732 
                 0.400 
                 3.732 
               
               
                 “10D-5L” 
                 “Pass” 
                 3.569 
                 3.569 
                 0.400 
                 3.569 
               
               
                 “10D-5R” 
                 “Pass” 
                 3.707 
                 3.707 
                 0.400 
                 3.707 
               
               
                 “5U-20L” 
                 “Pass” 
                 2.262 
                 2.262 
                 0.300 
                 2.262 
               
               
                 “5U-20R” 
                 “Pass” 
                 2.997 
                 2.997 
                 0.300 
                 2.997 
               
               
                 “5U-20L” 
                 “Pass” 
                 2.959 
                 2.959 
                 0.300 
                 2.959 
               
               
                 “5D-20R” 
                 “Pass” 
                 2.586 
                 2.586 
                 0.300 
                 2.586 
               
               
                 “5U-10L” 
                 “Pass” 
                 3.598 
                 3.598 
                 0.800 
                 3.598 
               
               
                 “5U-10R” 
                 “Pass” 
                 4.490 
                 4.490 
                 0.800 
                 4.490 
               
               
                 “5D-10L” 
                 “Pass” 
                 3.961 
                 3.961 
                 0.800 
                 3.961 
               
               
                 “5D-10R” 
                 “Pass” 
                 3.826 
                 3.826 
                 0.800 
                 3.826 
               
               
                 “5U-V” 
                 “Pass” 
                 8.303 
                 8.303 
                 1.800 
                 8.303 
               
               
                 “5D-V” 
                 “Pass” 
                 7.083 
                 7.083 
                 1.800 
                 7.083 
               
               
                 “H-10L” 
                 “Pass” 
                 4.907 
                 4.907 
                 0.800 
                 4.907 
               
               
                 “H-10R” 
                 “Pass” 
                 5.873 
                 5.873 
                 0.800 
                 5.873 
               
               
                 “H-5L” 
                 “Pass” 
                 8.940 
                 8.940 
                 2.000 
                 8.940 
               
               
                 “H-5R” 
                 “Pass” 
                 9.238 
                 9.238 
                 2.000 
                 9.238 
               
               
                 “H-V” 
                 “Pass” 
                 17.744 
                 17.744 
                 2.000 
                 17.744 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 12 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Tail Function in Vertical Position 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 SPEC 
               
               
                 Area 
                 Result 
                 Value 
                 Min 
                 SPEC-Min 
                 Max 
                 Max 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 “10U-5L” 
                 “Pass” 
                 3.499 
                 3.499 
                 0.400 
                 3.499 
                   
               
               
                 “10U-5R” 
                 “Pass” 
                 3.927 
                 3.927 
                 0.400 
                 3.927 
               
               
                 “10D-5L” 
                 “Pass” 
                 4.419 
                 4.419 
                 0.400 
                 4.419 
               
               
                 “10D-5R” 
                 “Pass” 
                 3.922 
                 3.922 
                 0.400 
                 3.922 
               
               
                 “5U-20L” 
                 “Pass” 
                 2.814 
                 2.814 
                 0.300 
                 2.814 
               
               
                 “5U-20R” 
                 “Pass” 
                 2.693 
                 2.693 
                 0.300 
                 2.693 
               
               
                 “5D-20L” 
                 “Pass” 
                 2.888 
                 2.888 
                 0.300 
                 2.888 
               
               
                 “5D-20R” 
                 “Pass” 
                 2.469 
                 2.469 
                 0.300 
                 2.469 
               
               
                 “5U-10L” 
                 “Pass” 
                 3.667 
                 3.667 
                 0.800 
                 3.667 
               
               
                 “5U-10R” 
                 “Pass” 
                 3.605 
                 3.605 
                 0.800 
                 3.605 
               
               
                 “5D-10L” 
                 “Pass” 
                 3.493 
                 3.493 
                 0.800 
                 3.493 
               
               
                 “5D-10R” 
                 “Pass” 
                 3.697 
                 3.697 
                 0.800 
                 3.697 
               
               
                 “5U-V” 
                 “Pass” 
                 8.796 
                 8.796 
                 1.800 
                 8.796 
               
               
                 “5D-V” 
                 “Pass” 
                 8.934 
                 8.934 
                 1.800 
                 8.934 
               
               
                 “H-10L” 
                 “Pass” 
                 5.562 
                 5.562 
                 0.800 
                 5.562 
               
               
                 “H-10R” 
                 “Pass” 
                 5.931 
                 5.931 
                 0.800 
                 5.931 
               
               
                 “H-5L” 
                 “Pass” 
                 7.996 
                 7.996 
                 2.000 
                 7.996 
               
               
                 “H-5R” 
                 “Pass” 
                 7.962 
                 7.962 
                 2.000 
                 7.962 
               
               
                 “H-V” 
                 “Pass” 
                 18.321 
                 18.321 
                 2.000 
                 18.321 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     One of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that external (rather than internal) prism rings on the front surface of a lens may be used to distribute the light emitted from the high-flux light emitting diode. In addition, one of ordinary skill in the art will also readily appreciate that reflectors, or different lens optics (other than prism rings or linear optics), can be employed to distribute the light emitted from the high-flux light emitting diode. For example, parabolic reflectors in combination with internal, lens pillow optics or segmented reflectors (without lens optics) can also be employed to distribute the incident light emitted from the light emitting diode. More specifically, in one embodiment (not shown), prism ring optics in the internal region of the lens, and in combination with external pillow optics, will distribute the light emitted from a light emitting diode, both horizontally and vertically. These pillow optics are arranged in a rectangular plan form, the length and the width of which determines the amount of spread in the vertical and horizontal planes. Additionally, the contour of the pillow optics may be spherical, convex, concave, or toroidal. One of ordinary skill in the art will further appreciate that, depending on the nature of the light emitting diode&#39;s incident light beam, different types of lens optics or reflectors used to distribute the light emitted will vary. 
     In alternative embodiments, light emitting diode  16  and circuit board  18  (or light emitting diode  160  and circuit board  180 ) comprise a removable single-unit module that can be inserted inside the housing of a variety of lamps. This provides a simple and convenient way to replace a light emitting diode unit within a given housing. 
     For each of the embodiments disclosed herein, the surfaces for lens  11  and lens  110  were designed and/or constructed using a Non-Uniform Rational B-Splines (NURBS) CAD modeling program, Rhinoceros 2.0 (McNeel Associates, 2001). The photometric effect of each of the lens surfaces was determined using Advanced Systems Analysis Program (Breault Research Organization, 2001), an optical analysis program. Solidworks parametric modeling CAD system was used to facilitate translations between CAD systems. The final design and documentation was performed using Unigraphics CAD system.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5