Abstract:
The present invention comprises a turn signaling system for use in a vehicle wherein a light source is intermittently occluded. The light source may be occluded by means of a mechanical or chemical shutter or by use of a rotating blind. According to one embodiment, the blind is shaped so as to create a pattern of light as the blind rotates.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates generally to automotive lighting systems and, more specifically, to automotive turn signal lights.  
           [0002]    The industry standard turn signal lamp assembly is comprised of a single bulb connected to a circuit which is switched on and off in an alternating fashion once the turn signal is engaged. This causes the bulb to alternately flash on and off. As turn signals are generally located toward the outer sides of a vehicle, the flashing of the turn signal indicates the direction in which the driver intends to turn.  
           [0003]    While the above described turn signal system has been effective for a number of years, there are some drawbacks to the system. First, repeated cycling of the bulb on and off causes excess wear of the bulb filament, leading to premature failure of the bulb. Second, the standard turn signal system is used in the vast majority of vehicles. However, the automotive market is one wherein competitors attempt to distinguish themselves. Thus, a standard turn signal system does not assist in distinguishing a manufacturer&#39;s vehicle from a competitor&#39;s vehicle.  
           [0004]    What is desired, therefore, is a turn signal system which does not result in premature failure of the turn signal bulb. It is further desired that the turn signal system provide a distinguishing feature as compared to standard turn signal systems, thereby providing manufacturers with a marketing edge.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    In accordance with the present invention, a turn signal system comprises a light source which is continuously energized when a turn is being signaled, while the light emanating from the light source is intermittently occluded such that an observer sees a blinking light source. According to one embodiment, the light source is intermittently occluded by a blind which comprises at least one section penetrable by light and at least one section that is opaque. A blinking effect is produced by relative movement between the blind and the light source and/or reflector such that the bulb is intermittently occluded by the opaque section.  
           [0006]    The present invention provides a turn signal system which does not result in premature failure of the turn signal bulb. Additionally, the present invention provides a distinguishing feature as compared to standard turn signal systems, thereby providing manufacturers with a marketing edge. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]    [0007]FIG. 1. is an exploded perspective view of a turn signal system according to the present invention.  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 2A is a plan view of a reflector and light source for use in a turn signal system according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 2B is a plan view of a rotating blind for use with the reflector and light source of FIG. 2A in a turn signal system according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 3 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention incorporating an LCD blind. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011]    [0011]FIG. 1. is an exploded perspective view of a turn signal system according to the present invention. Turn signal assembly  100  includes base  102 . Base  102  is formed so as to house light sources  104  which are inset into reflectors  106 . Shaft  108  extends from motor  110  through base  102  and light shield  114  which is fixedly mounted upon base  102 . Light shield  114  includes fins  116 , which may be shaped or located so as to partially occlude light sources  104  and/or reflectors  106 , or so as to not directly occlude light sources  104  and/or reflectors  106 , such shape and location being a design choice based upon a number of considerations including the amount of light needed to be passes, and aesthetic look of the lamp. Blind  112  includes fins  120  and hub  118 . Fins  120  are attached to hub  118 . Blind  112  is rotatably mounted upon shaft  108  at hub  118 .  
         [0012]    In operation, when it is desired to indicate a turn, light sources  104  and motor  110  are energized according to methods well known in the art. Motor  110  serves as a means for moving shaft  108 . As shaft  108  rotates, blind  112 , which is appended to shaft  108  at hub  118 , is caused to rotate. Blind  112  is fashioned in this embodiment such that when fins  120  of blind  112  are rotated to align with fins  116  of light shield  114 , light from light sources  104  is allowed to pass by light shield  114  and blind  112 . However, when blind  112  is further rotated so that fins  120  of blind  112  are not aligned with fins  116  of light shield  114 , light from light sources  104  is occluded by light shield  114  and blind  112 .  
         [0013]    Those of skill in the art will understand that light shield  114  and blind  112  need not be designed to completely obscure the light emanating from light sources  104 . In embodiments wherein the occlusion results in only partial obscuration, a pulsating turn signal may be realized. Moreover, although in the embodiment of FIG. 1, relative movement between the light source and the blind is rotational, those of skill in the relevant art will recognize that a means utilizing a linear displacement could be practiced within the scope of the present invention. Moreover, in certain applications it may be desired to reverse the position of light shield  114  and blind  112  relative to light sources  104 , these alternative embodiments and others are within the scope of the present invention.  
         [0014]    Referring now to FIG. 2A an alternative embodiment of the present invention is described. FIG. 2A is a plan view of reflector and light source for use in a turn signal system according to the present invention. Light mounting assembly  200  includes LED assemblies  202  through  216 . Each of LED assemblies  202  through  214  includes an LED within a reflector cavity. For example, LED assembly  202  includes LED  218  and reflector  220 . LED assemblies  216  includes a plurality of LEDs within reflector cavities. Light mounting assembly  200  also includes hole  222 .  
         [0015]    Referring now to FIG. 2B, a plan view of a rotating blind for use with the reflector and light source of FIG. 2A in a turn signal system according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown. Rotating blind  230  includes hub  232  and cutouts  234  and  236 . Hub  232  may be manufactured integrally with rotating blind  230  or may be manufactured separately. Rotating blind  230  in this embodiment serves as an appendage for intermittently occluding the light sources in FIG. 2 a.    
         [0016]    In operation, when it is desired to indicate a turn, LED assemblies  202  through  216  and a motor (not shown) are energized according to methods well known in the art. The motor, which may be mounted behind light mounting assembly  200  rotates a shaft (not shown) which passes through hole  222  and is operably connected to hub  232 . Of course, the present invention is not limited by the location of the means for moving, which in this embodiment is a motor. For example, the means for moving could be mounted substantially at hole  222  between light mounting assembly  200  and blind  230  or at a location not physically connected to either light mounting assembly  200  or blind  230 . The salient feature of the means for moving is that is be operably connected to either the light source and/or the reflector or the blind, so as to be capable of creating relative motion between the light source and/or the reflector or the blind.  
         [0017]    Continuing with the description of operation of the embodiment of FIGS. 2A and 2B, as the shaft rotates, blind  230  is rotated. In this example, blind  230  is rotated in a clockwise direction, although a counter-clockwise direction may be used. As cutouts  234  and  236  pass over LED assemblies  202  through  216 , the light emanating from LED assemblies  202  through  216  and their associated reflectors is not occluded. Accordingly, a viewer observes, in sequence, LED assemblies  202  through  216 . The embodiment of FIGS. 2A and 2B is designed such that as cutout  236  passes over LED assembly  216 , cutout  234  is approaching LED assembly  202 . Thus, to a viewer, it would appear as if LED assembly  202  is energized shortly after LED assembly  216  is de-energized.  
         [0018]    Referring to FIG. 3, an alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown which does not utilize a motor. Turn signal assembly  300  includes lens  302  connected to housing  304 . Reflector  306  light source  308 , and liquid crystal panel (LCP)  310  are mounted within housing  304 . LCP  310  is sized such that any light emanating from turn signal assembly  300  must pass through LCP  310 .  
         [0019]    As is well known, liquid crystal devices (LCD) consist of a sheet of oriented particles contained between two layers of glass or plastic. When an electric signal is applied to the LCD, the signal renders the entire sheet clear or opaque, as desired. With respect to LCP  310 , the entire panel is simultaneously completely opaque or completely clear. In operation, when it is desired to indicate a turn, light source  308  is energized. Then, an electric signal is intermittently applied to and removed from LCP  310 . Accordingly, light from light source  308  is intermittently allowed to pass through LCP  310  and intermittently occluded from passing through LCP  310 .  
         [0020]    Those of skill in the art will recognize that a turn signal system according to the present invention does not result in premature failure of the turn signal bulb. Moreover, the present invention provides a distinguishing feature as compared to standard turn signal systems, thereby providing manufacturers with a marketing edge.  
         [0021]    While the present invention has been described in detail with reference to certain exemplary embodiments thereof, such are offered by way of non-limiting example of the invention, as other versions are possible. Those of skill in the art will recognize that a variety of light sources and blinds may be used in practicing the present invention. By way of example, but not of limitation, it may be desired to fashion the light assembly with filament bulbs or LEDs. Moreover, the present invention may be practiced with a variety of motors to cause relative motion between the blind and the light source and/or reflector, or with no motor at all. Finally, the light emanating from the turn signal assembly need not be totally occluded. The salient characteristic, is that the light emanating from the turn signal assembly vary in intensity, so as to provide the function of a turn signal. It is anticipated that a variety of other modifications and changes will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art and that such modifications and changes are intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.