Patent Description:
<CIT>discloses a cargo lamp assembly for vehicles with a white LED and a lens for focusing light emitted from the LED.

<CIT> discloses a center high mounted stop lamp having a plurality of LEDs mounted on a printed circuit board. Each LED is aligned with a total internal reflecting lens which each include a prism for directing light from its respective LED. <CIT> discloses a light assembly, which, in an embodiment, includes a first lighting source in the form of a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) connected to a printed circuit board, and an illuminable outer lens. Light emitted by the LEDs passes through the illuminable outer lens and its outer surface, respectively, in the form of diffused light. <CIT> discloses an embodiment of a light bar comprising one or more LEDs. Light from green and red LEDs can be combined to generate white light The light bar may include various lighting arrangements, each of which represents possible LED combinations adapted to generate white light. Each of the lighting arrangements includes clusters of discrete LEDs, with each LED within a cluster spaced a distance from the next LED, and each cluster spaced a distance from the next cluster. In some embodiments, an acceptable range of distances for separating consecutive LEDs within a cluster is not more than approximately <NUM>. Each cluster can comprise e.g. two blue-shifted-yellow LEDs and a single red LED, which LEDs, when properly mixed, combine to yield light having a "warm white" appearance. <CIT> discloses an embodiment of an illumination device including a diffracting element. The diffracting element may be a light shaping diffusor sheet The illumination device comprises a rod-like member, a housing, and a plurality of LEDs. The LEDs are arranged linearly along a longitudinal direction parallel to the rod-like member. Between the LED array and the rod-like member, a light color conversion system in the form of an intermediate light-transmitting medium is incorporated. Between the intermediate light-transmitting medium and the rod-like member, the diffracting element is arranged. Both the intermediate light-transmitting medium and the diffracting element extend in the longitudinal direction and are of a plane form following the interior flat lateral surface of the rod-like member.

The present invention is defined in the appended independent claim. Embodiments of the invention are the subject-matter of the dependent claims. In an embodiment, a homogenous light-emitting diode (LED) lamp for an automotive vehicle is provided. The homogenous LED includes a plurality of LEDs configured as a LED array. A diffusion sheet is provided that has a curvature aligned with the LED array for smoothing and bending light emitted by the plurality of LEDs for the purpose of creating a lighting appearance substantially lacking hotspots.

In another embodiment, an automotive vehicle lamp for producing homogenous light is provided. The vehicle lamp includes a plurality of LEDs each positioned a first distance apart from one another to form an array of LEDs, and a diffusion sheet positioned a second distance from the array of LEDs for smoothing light emitted from the array of LEDs. The first distance and the second distance are arranged for the purpose of providing a substantially homogenous light output from the vehicle lamp when viewed through the diffusion sheet.

Illustrative embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:.

A light-emitting diode (LED) produces light when activated by a suitable voltage applied across a semiconductor p-n junction diode. For many illumination applications, light emitted by LEDs may be modified using non-imaging optics such as one or more lenses. However, a disadvantage of using lenses is that a complex system of lenses is typically required to achieve a uniform and homogenous appearing light output from a plurality of LEDs while still meeting output-angle luminance requirements for certain applications. Additional disadvantages of using lenses include a non-contiguous appearance due to the separation of the focal reflectors, and shadowing due to various thicknesses in a typical lens optic.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a vehicle lamp that uses LEDs as the light source. In certain embodiments, the LED vehicle lamp is a Center-High-Mounted Stop Lamp (CHMSL). CHMSLs are used in passenger cars and light trucks and are required to meet regulations governing luminance, viewing angle, and contrast ratio.

<FIG> is a front view of an exemplary homogenous LED lamp <NUM>. A diffusion sheet <NUM> is disposed in front of a plurality of LEDs, such as a first LED <NUM>, a second LED <NUM>, a third LED <NUM>, a fourth LED <NUM>, a fifth LED <NUM>, and a sixth LED <NUM>, which are depicted in <FIG> with dashed lines to indicate their location behind diffusion sheet <NUM>. Homogenous LED lamp <NUM> may include fewer than six or greater than six LEDs without departing from the scope hereof. In certain embodiments, as few as three LEDs may be used, while in other embodiments, greater than fifty LEDs may be used, depending on the length of homogenous LED lamp <NUM> and the intensity of the individual LEDs.

In certain embodiments, first through sixth LEDs <NUM>-<NUM> are arranged in a single string-array of LEDs aligned linearly along a longitudinal axis, marked by a L-L' dashed line in <FIG>. In some embodiments, one or more additional arrays of LEDs may be provided above or below LEDs <NUM>-<NUM> along a transverse axis, marked by a T-T' dashed line, which is perpendicular to the L-L' longitudinal axis. The one or more additional arrays of LEDs may be aligned directly above/below, or offset from, first through sixth LEDs <NUM>-<NUM>.

A center-to-center distance <NUM> is illustrated in <FIG> between C and C' dashed lines corresponding to the distance between the center of first LED <NUM> and the center of second LED <NUM>. The center-to-center distance of LEDs <NUM>-<NUM> may be determined based on individual LED properties, such as LED luminance and diameter, as well as a desired light emission profile of homogenous LED lamp <NUM>. In some embodiments, the LED diameter is less than <NUM>. In one embodiment, the LED diameter is about <NUM>. In another embodiment, the LED diameter is about <NUM>. In yet another embodiment, the LED diameter is about <NUM>. The light emission profile is based on a cone angle of the LED, which depends on the required prescription (e.g., to meet regulatory requirements), in combination with a preference to prevent or minimize "hot spots". Hot spots are portions of a lamp that appear brighter than other portions. In some embodiments, center-to-center distance <NUM> is between about <NUM> and <NUM>. In other embodiments, center-to-center distance <NUM> is between about <NUM> and <NUM>. In one embodiment, center-to-center distance <NUM> is about <NUM>.

Diffusion sheet <NUM> is curved about longitudinal axis L-L'. The radius-of-curvature of diffusion sheet <NUM> about longitudinal axis L-L' is between about <NUM> and <NUM>, and more preferably between about <NUM> and <NUM>. The curvature of diffusion sheet <NUM> may be best viewed from the cross-sectional view provided in <FIG>, described below. In certain embodiments, the curvature of diffusion sheet <NUM> bends symmetrically about a midpoint (see <FIG>). For example, diffusion sheet <NUM> may have a semi-circular curvature forming a half-cylindrical shape. The material used to form diffusion sheet <NUM> may be a transparent or semi-transparent material that smooths uneven light distribution. In an embodiment, diffusion sheet <NUM> is a Luminit™ light-shaping diffuser (Luminit, LLC. Torrance, CA). Diffusion sheet <NUM> may be used to smooth light distribution from individual LEDs, such as first through sixth LEDs <NUM>-<NUM>, to provide a more uniform and homogenous appearing light source.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional side view of homogenous LED lamp <NUM>, <FIG>. The cross-sectional view shows sixth LED <NUM> in proximity to diffusion sheet <NUM>. Sixth LED <NUM> is centrally aligned along a zenith axis, marked by a Z-Z' dashed line in <FIG>. In certain embodiments, a midpoint of diffusion sheet <NUM> is aligned with the zenith axis Z-Z', such that a center of curvature of diffusion sheet <NUM> is aligned with a central axis or midpoint of sixth LED <NUM>. Homogenous LED lamp <NUM> focuses light output intensity from LEDs <NUM>-<NUM> to create an appearance of smooth homogeneity while meeting functional luminance requirements, as described below.

A maximum intensity of light emitted from sixth LED <NUM> occurs along the zenith axis Z-Z'. Light intensity diminishes as an angle of emitted light deviates above or below the zenith axis Z-Z'. A cone of light emitted from LED <NUM> may be described as having cone edges, marked as dashed lines E and E' in <FIG>, and a beam angle <NUM>, which is an angle between the cone edges. In some embodiments, the cone edges are defined as the portion of light distribution at which fifty percent of the maximum intensity of light is emitted. Beam angle <NUM> is determined by properties of the LED and may vary from a very narrow spot LED of less than seven degrees to very wide flood LED of more than one-hundred-sixty degrees. In an embodiment, beam angle <NUM> is about thirty degrees, which sufficiently reduces loss of light per distance away from sixth LED <NUM>.

Light emitted by first through sixth LEDs <NUM>-<NUM> may be diffused and bent as it passes through diffusion sheet <NUM>. Specifically, the curvature of diffusion sheet <NUM> contributes to both the appearance and functionality of emitted light by altering the angle of light emitted from LEDs <NUM>-<NUM>. For example, light emitted from sixth LED <NUM> through diffusion sheet <NUM> may be configured to meet certain luminance requirements including, for example, a ten-degree upward angle and a five-degree downward angle. In certain embodiments, diffusion sheet <NUM> may be configured to broaden the beam angle compared to beam angle <NUM>, by bending light output from sixth LED <NUM>. For example, fifty percent of the maximum intensity of light may emitted at the bent cone edges, marked by B-B' dashed lines in <FIG>, instead of at the LED cone edges marked by E-E' dashed lines.

A distance <NUM> between sixth LED <NUM> and diffusion sheet <NUM>, which is marked with dashed lines D-D' in <FIG>, is adapted for providing the overall desired beam angle and appearance of light emitted from homogenous LED lamp <NUM>. In a non-claimed example, distance <NUM> is about half of the radius of curvature of diffusion sheet <NUM> at the midpoint of diffusion sheet <NUM>. In another non-claimed example, distance <NUM> is between about half of the radius of curvature of diffusion sheet <NUM> to about equal the radius of curvature of diffusion sheet <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of an exemplary homogenous LED lamp <NUM> in operation on a vehicle. Homogenous LED lamp <NUM> is an example of homogenous LED lamp <NUM>, <FIG>, configured as a vehicle Center-High-Mounted Stop Lamp (CHMSL). CHMSLs are required by U. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard <NUM> (Code of Federal Regulations, Title <NUM>, Section <NUM>) for all passenger cars and light trucks. <FIG> illustrates exemplary diffuse light emitted by homogenous LED lamp <NUM> in a dark environment.

In some embodiments, a substantially homogeneous appearance from homogenous LED lamp <NUM> is provided when viewed from above or below a midpoint of the diffusion sheet by about fifteen degrees (+/- <NUM>°). In other embodiments, the substantially homogenous appearance is provided when viewed from above or below the midpoint by about sixty degrees (+/- <NUM>°). In certain embodiments, a homogeneous appearance is provided when viewing homogenous LED lamp <NUM> through an opening of a blackout surface of the rear windshield, while maintaining a maximum contrast ratio of three-to-one (<NUM>:<NUM>). In some embodiments, the contrast ratio is at least three-to-one.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional side view of an exemplary homogenous LED vehicle lamp <NUM>. First LED <NUM> is mounted to a printed circuit board <NUM> for providing electrical power and control of first LED <NUM>. A housing <NUM> is used to secure the printed circuit board <NUM> and diffusion sheet <NUM>. First LED <NUM> and diffusion sheet <NUM> are aligned in proximity with a lamp lens, including a transparent outer lens <NUM> and an opaque inner lens <NUM>. Outer lens <NUM> is made of a transparent material configured to protect inner portions of lamp <NUM> from outside elements while allowing light from the first LED <NUM> to pass through. In certain embodiments, outer lens <NUM> is a colored transparent lens for creating a colored appearance (e.g., a red lens for a vehicle stop light) from a white light source (e.g., a white LED). Inner lens <NUM> is made of an opaque material adapted for use as an absorbing element.

In certain embodiments, diffusion sheet <NUM> is a hybrid diffusion sheet, which functions partially as a collimator by redirecting at least a portion of the upward and downward light for redirecting wasted light to the beam pattern. For example, at least a portion of light traveling in an upward direction above first LED <NUM> is redirected downward, and at least a portion of light traveling in a downward direction below first LED <NUM> is redirected upward. For light traveling horizontally, diffusion sheet <NUM> works as a diffuser to smooth the light as described above in connection with <FIG>.

Advantages of the embodiments of the present disclosure include providing a uniform and homogenous LED light output capable of meeting output angle requirements without needing complex inner lenses.

Features described above as well as those claimed below may be combined in various ways without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Many different arrangements of the various components depicted, as well as components not shown, are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims. Embodiments of the present invention have been described with the intent to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not depart from its scope. A skilled artisan may develop alternative means of implementing the aforementioned improvements without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claim 1:
A homogeneous light-emitting diode (LED) lamp (<NUM>) for an automotive vehicle, comprising:
a plurality of LEDs (<NUM> - <NUM>) configured as a LED array, wherein the LED array includes at least one linear array of LEDs aligned linearly along a longitudinal axis (L-L');
a diffusion sheet (<NUM>) having a curvature aligned with the LED array, wherein the diffusion sheet has a curvature along a transverse axis, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, such that the diffusion sheet curves around the LED array and extends along the longitudinal axis for smoothing and bending light emitted by the LED array;
wherein a first distance is a center-to-center distance (<NUM>) between each of the plurality of LEDs, the first distance being between equal to a diameter of each LED to twice the diameter of each LED, and a second distance (<NUM>) between the LED array and the diffusion sheet is between half the diameter of each LED to equal the diameter of each LED, and
wherein the first distance and the second distance are arranged for the purpose of creating a lighting appearance substantially lacking hotspots.