阅读说明：本技术 用于将光以预定照明图案投射到表面上的照明装置 (Lighting device for projecting light onto a surface in a predetermined lighting pattern ) 是由 B·M·A·科克斯 C·D·比特纳 于 2018-11-09 设计创作，主要内容包括：本文描述了一种用于将光以预定照明图案(26)投射到表面(22)上的照明装置(24)。该照明装置(24)包括光模块(34),该光模块(34)具有光源(66)和被配置成以任何合适的方式传输光的光管(46)。照明装置(24)还包括壳体(28),该壳体(28)具有腔体(30)、用于接收从光源(66)发射的光的入口(54)、以及在第二壳体端部处的孔(32)。在所述壳体(28)内,在所述入口(54)和所述孔(32)之间是至少部分地设置在所述腔体(30)中的滤光器(36),所述滤光器(36)具有至少一个开口(38),所述至少一个开口(38)限定对应于所述预定照明图案(26)的基本图案构件(40)。光管(46)被配置成选择性地将光从光源(66)传输到腔体(30),并且光管(46)可以是线性的或非线性的,使得光源(66)和待照明的表面(22)不需要彼此面对。(A lighting device (24) for projecting light onto a surface (22) in a predetermined lighting pattern (26) is described herein. The lighting device (24) includes a light module (34), the light module (34) having a light source (66) and a light pipe (46) configured to transmit light in any suitable manner. The lighting device (24) further includes a housing (28), the housing (28) having a cavity (30), an inlet (54) for receiving light emitted from the light source (66), and an aperture (32) at a second housing end. Within the housing (28), between the inlet (54) and the aperture (32), is a filter (36) at least partially disposed in the cavity (30), the filter (36) having at least one opening (38), the at least one opening (38) defining a basic pattern member (40) corresponding to the predetermined illumination pattern (26). The light pipe (46) is configured to selectively transmit light from the light source (66) to the cavity (30), and the light pipe (46) may be linear or non-linear such that the light source (66) and the surface to be illuminated (22) need not face each other.)

1. A lighting device for projecting light onto a surface in a predetermined lighting pattern, the lighting device comprising:

a light module comprising a light source and a light pipe, wherein the light pipe extends longitudinally between a first end and a second end and is configured to transmit light between the first end and the second end in any suitable manner;

a holder that houses the light source, the holder including a first opening;

a housing having a cavity, an inlet at a first housing end for receiving light emitted from the light source, and an aperture at a second housing end; and

a light filter at least partially disposed in the cavity between the inlet and the aperture of the housing, wherein the light filter includes at least one opening defining a basic pattern member corresponding to the predetermined illumination pattern, wherein

The first end of the light pipe faces the light source and the second end of the light pipe faces the filter, an

The light pipe selectively transmits light from the light source to the cavity.

2. The illumination device of claim 1, wherein light transmitted from the light source to the cavity passes through the at least one opening of the primary pattern member and through the aperture of the housing is projected onto the surface in the predetermined illumination pattern.

3. The illumination device of claim 2, wherein the light pipe is at least partially transparent for transmitting the light from the first end to the second end.

4. The illumination device of claim 3, wherein the light pipe is flexible and configured to deflect between the first end and the second end such that the light source does not have to directly face the surface.

5. The illumination device of claim 3, wherein the light pipe comprises:

at least a first collar extending radially from the light pipe near the first end of the light pipe, the first collar configured to engage a portion of the retainer surrounding the first opening, an

At least a second collar element extending radially from the light pipe near the second end of the light pipe, the second collar configured to engage a portion of the housing surrounding the inlet.

6. The lighting device of claim 3, wherein the light source is a semiconductor light source.

7. The lighting device of claim 6, wherein the light source is a Light Emitting Diode (LED), a laser light source, or an ultraviolet light source.

8. The lighting device of claim 3, further comprising a disk configured to transmit light and a seal engaging the disk and the housing, wherein the disk and the seal, in combination, are configured to seal the housing at the aperture.

9. The lighting device of claim 3, wherein the housing further comprises a condenser lens secured to the housing and positioned between the second end of the light pipe and the filter such that light entering the housing and passing through the condenser lens is collimated toward the filter.

10. The illumination device of claim 9, wherein the housing further comprises an objective lens arrangement comprising a first lens and a second lens, the objective lens arrangement being located between the optical filter and the aperture of the housing such that light passing through the basic pattern member is configured by the objective lens to a correct orientation of the predetermined illumination pattern.

11. The lighting device of claim 10, further comprising a guide interface configured to align the optical filter to the housing, wherein the guide interface and the optical filter comprise a plurality of radially spaced voids.

12. The lighting device of claim 11, wherein

The first lens comprises a first mounting frame arranged radially around an at least partially transparent first central body,

said second lens comprises a second mounting frame radially arranged around an at least partially transparent second central body,

the second mounting frame extending toward the first lens, the second mounting frame defining a second lens wall,

the first mounting frame extends toward the second lens, the first mounting frame and the second central body define a first lens recess, an

The first lens recess is configured to receive the second lens wall to guide the first lens and the second lens relative to each other.

13. The lighting device of claim 12, wherein:

the condenser lens includes a mounting body including a wall disposed radially around a central portion of the condenser lens and a plurality of recesses disposed radially around the central portion, wherein at least the central portion of the condenser lens is at least partially transparent, an

The first lens comprises a plurality of pins, the first lens is arranged between the light-emitting module and the second lens, and

each of the plurality of pins is individually disposed within the plurality of recesses of the first lens and the plurality of radially spaced voids of the guide interface and filter to align and secure the filter relative to the housing.

14. The lighting device of claim 3, wherein said light module further comprises a printed circuit board supporting said light source.

15. An illumination system, comprising:

a surface; and

one or more lighting devices, the lighting devices comprising:

a light module comprising a light source and a light pipe, wherein the light pipe extends longitudinally between a first end and a second end and is configured to transmit light between the first end and the second end in any suitable manner;

a holder that houses the light source, the holder including a first opening;

a housing having a cavity, an inlet at a first housing end for receiving light emitted from the light source, and an aperture at a second housing end; and

a light filter at least partially disposed in the cavity between the inlet and the aperture of the housing, wherein the light filter includes at least one opening defining a base pattern member corresponding to a predetermined illumination pattern, wherein

The first end of the light pipe faces the light source and the second end of the light pipe faces the filter,

the light pipe selectively transmits light from the light source to the cavity, an

The light transmitted from the light source to the light source passes through at least one opening of the basic pattern member and through the aperture of the housing to be projected onto a surface in the predetermined illumination pattern.

16. The lighting system of claim 15, wherein the light pipe is flexible and configured to deflect between the first end and the second end such that the light source does not have to face directly toward the surface.

17. The lighting system of claim 15, wherein the housing further comprises:

a condenser lens secured to the housing and positioned between the second end of the light pipe and the filter such that light entering the housing and passing through the condenser lens is collimated toward the filter, an

An objective lens arrangement comprising a first lens and a second lens, the objective lens arrangement being located between the optical filter and the aperture of the housing such that the light passing through the basic pattern member is configured by the objective lens into a correct orientation of the predetermined illumination pattern.

18. The lighting system of claim 15, wherein the housing further comprises a disk configured to transmit light and a seal engaging the disk and the housing, wherein the disk and the seal, in combination, are configured to seal the housing at the aperture.

19. The lighting system of claim 15, wherein the surface is positioned on at least one of an exterior of a vehicle or an interior of the vehicle.

20. The lighting system of claim 15, wherein the lighting system comprises a plurality of surfaces.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an illumination system, and more particularly to an illumination device for projecting light onto a surface in a predetermined illumination pattern.

Background

Lighting systems for illuminating interior surfaces of vehicles are known. Illumination systems are also known that illuminate a surface with a particular pattern or design. Illumination of the interior surface with a particular pattern or design improves visibility of the interior adjacent the illuminated interior surface in low light conditions and is believed to be aesthetically appealing to viewers.

One system known in the industry is a lighting system having a panel, and the panel itself comprises a surface, a portion of which is partially transparent. In these systems, the partially transparent portion of the panel includes a particular pattern or design, and a plurality of illumination devices, such as light emitting diodes or optical fibers, are placed behind the panel so that the panel is between the illumination devices and the viewer. In such an illumination device, light from the light source is transmitted through the partially transparent portion of the panel, which illuminates the surface of the partially transparent portion so that the viewer sees the illuminated pattern or design.

Although these lighting devices and lighting systems generally perform well for their intended purpose, there is still a need for improved lighting devices and lighting systems.

Disclosure of Invention

In one aspect, the invention relates to a lighting device comprising a light module having a light source and a light pipe configured to transmit light in any suitable manner between a first end and a second end, and a housing having a cavity, an inlet at the first housing end for receiving light, and an aperture at the second housing end. The lighting device further includes a filter (screen) disposed within the housing between the inlet and the aperture, the filter including at least one opening defining a basic pattern member corresponding to a predetermined lighting pattern. The light pipe selectively transmits light between the light source and the cavity such that light entering the cavity passes through at least one opening of the primary pattern member of the filter and is projected through the aperture of the housing onto the surface in a predetermined illumination pattern.

In one embodiment, the light source is housed in a holder. In one embodiment, the light source may be a Light Emitting Diode (LED), a laser, UV light, or any semiconductor light source. In one embodiment, there may be a plurality of light sources. The optical module may also include a printed circuit board and any other suitable electronics.

In one embodiment, the housing includes a condenser lens positioned between the second end of the light pipe and the filter such that light entering the housing and passing through the condenser lens is collimated toward the filter. In one embodiment, the housing comprises an objective lens arrangement located between the filter and the aperture of the housing such that light passing through the basic pattern member is configured in the correct orientation. The objective lens arrangement may comprise a first lens and a second lens, the first lens being arranged between the entrance and the second lens. The housing may also include at least one disk configured to transmit light and a seal operably engaging the disk and the housing such that the combination of the disk and the seal is configured to seal the housing at the aperture.

In some embodiments, the light pipe includes a first collar element extending radially from proximate the first end of the light pipe and a second collar element extending radially from proximate the second end of the light pipe, such that the first collar element is configured to engage a portion of the retainer surrounding the first opening and the second collar element is configured to engage a portion of the housing surrounding the inlet.

In some embodiments, the light pipe is flexible and configured to bend between the first end and the second end. In such embodiments, the light source would not have to be aligned with the surface in order to project light onto the surface in a predetermined illumination pattern.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a lighting system comprising a surface and a lighting device. The lighting device may be any of the lighting devices described herein. In one embodiment, the lighting system includes a plurality of surfaces. In another embodiment, a lighting system includes a plurality of lighting devices. In yet another embodiment, a lighting system includes a plurality of lighting devices and a plurality of surfaces.

The lighting device and/or lighting system may be adapted for use in a vehicle interior or a vehicle exterior.

The lighting devices disclosed herein reduce the cost of manufacturing lighting devices and lighting systems for vehicles because light can be projected onto any surface and the surface is not required to be a particular material with a particular transparency. Furthermore, the invention allows aftermarket application of the lighting device, as the lighting device may be mounted at a desired location to project light onto a surface.

The illumination device and illumination system disclosed herein overcome the disadvantages in the related art of illumination devices for projecting light onto a surface in a predetermined illumination pattern.

Drawings

A more detailed understanding including other features and advantages may be obtained from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1 is a perspective view of a plurality of lighting systems, each having a surface and a lighting device.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a plurality of lighting systems having lighting devices that project light onto a surface.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the lighting device.

FIG. 4 is a partially exploded perspective view of the lighting device showing a holder including a light module, a light pipe, and a housing including a condenser lens, a filter, and an objective lens arrangement.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the light pipe, condenser lens, filter and objective lens arrangement.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the light pipe, condenser lens, filter and objective lens arrangement.

FIG. 7 is another exploded perspective view of a portion of the light pipe, condenser lens, filter and objective lens arrangement.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a light pipe, condenser lens, filter and objective lens arrangement.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a lighting system including a lighting device.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a plurality of lighting systems 20, which are shown for illustrative purposes in fig. 1 and 2, such that each lighting system 20 comprises a lighting device 24 and a surface 22. Each lighting system 20 may be adapted for use with a vehicle carrying one or more passengers. However, it should be understood that the illumination system 20 may be adapted for use in any system requiring illumination. The lighting system 20 includes a surface, shown at 22, which may be defined by components of the vehicle interior, including but not limited to a door panel, a vehicle floor (e.g., on a carpet or floor mat in a passenger compartment or cargo area), an instrument panel, a center console, and a headliner. Further, surface 22 may be defined by any suitable component external to the vehicle, including, but not limited to, body panels, vehicle glass, license plates, and wheels. It should be understood that surface 22 may be defined by any object proximate to the vehicle, such as the ground on which the vehicle is located. It should also be understood that the illumination system 20 may include a plurality of surfaces 22.

The illumination system 20 includes an illumination device 24, commonly referred to in the art as a shadow lamp or marker lamp, for projecting light L onto the surface 22 in a predetermined illumination pattern 26, as shown in fig. 2, the predetermined illumination pattern 26 may be any shape, logo, pattern, etc., and may be any configuration, orientation, etc. of the light L. Therefore, the predetermined illumination pattern 26 should be considered when designing the illumination device 24 itself and the position of the illumination device 24 relative to the surface 22. In one embodiment, the lighting system 20 may include a plurality of surfaces 22.

As shown in fig. 3, the lighting device 24 includes a housing 28 having a cavity 30 and an aperture 32 opening into the cavity 30, the lighting device 24 further including a light module 34 operatively connected to the housing 28 for selectively emitting light L into the cavity 30. The housing 28 of the luminaire 24 may also include an optical filter 36 disposed at least partially in the cavity 30 between the light module 34 and the aperture 32, as shown in fig. 6 and 7. The optical filter 36 has at least one opening 38 defining a basic pattern member 40 corresponding to the predetermined illumination pattern 26 for aligning light L emitted from the light module 34 through the opening 38 into the basic pattern member 40 and subsequently projecting the light L through the aperture 32 onto the surface 22 in the predetermined illumination pattern 26, as shown in fig. 2.

As shown in fig. 4, the housing 28 may have a first portion 42 and a second portion 44, the first portion 42 including the aperture 32. In another embodiment, as shown, each of the first and second portions 42, 44 collectively form the aperture 32. The first portion 42 and the second portion 44 may also collectively form an inlet 54 opposite the aperture 32, which opens into the cavity 30. As shown in fig. 4, the first portion 42 and the second portion 44 cooperate to define the cavity 30 and may collectively have a substantially cylindrical configuration. It should be appreciated that first portion 42 and second portion 44 may have any suitable shape.

As shown in fig. 4, the light module 34 may include a light source 66 for selectively emitting light L via the light pipe 46 extending longitudinally between the first end 48 and the second end 50, wherein the first end 48 of the light pipe 46 faces the light source 66 and the second end 50 of the light pipe 46 faces the filter 36 for transmitting the light L from the light source 66 to the filter 36. The light module 34 may have a holder 52 surrounding a light source 66, with the first end 48 of the light pipe 46 extending into the holder 52 and facing the light source 66.

As shown in fig. 4, the retainer 52 may have a substantially cubical configuration. It should be appreciated that the retainer 52 may have any suitable shape. The holder 52 can have a first opening, the light source 66 facing the first opening 56 for emitting light L to the exterior of the holder 52, the light pipe 46 can extend into the holder 52 through the first opening 56 and facing the light source 66, and in one embodiment, the holder 52 can have a second opening spaced from the first opening 56 for allowing electrical connection with the light emitting module 34, the second opening can receive an electrical connector (not shown, but generally understood in the art). The electrical connector is connected with the light emitting module 34 to supply power to the light emitting module 34. As shown in fig. 4 and 5, the light module 34 may also include a printed circuit board 62 supporting the light source 66, and in one embodiment, the printed circuit board 62 is connected to the holder 52.

A printed circuit board 62 may be disposed within the holder 52, as shown in fig. 4, the printed circuit board 62 selectively powering the light source 66 to selectively emit light L therefrom. In addition, the amount of current provided by the printed circuit board 62 may vary depending on the application. In one embodiment, the printed circuit board 62 may provide any current value as required by the light source.

In one embodiment, the light source 66 may be a semiconductor light source, the light source 66 may be supported by the printed circuit board 62 and electrically connected to the printed circuit board 62, and the light source 66 may be further defined as a Light Emitting Diode (LED). Alternatively, the light source 66 can be further defined as a laser light source. In one embodiment, the light module 34 may include a plurality of light sources 66, it being understood that the light sources 66 may be located anywhere in the holder 52, in one embodiment the light sources 66 may be aligned with at least the first end 48 of the light pipe 46, and in one embodiment the light sources 66 may be connected to the first end 48 of the light pipe 46.

In one embodiment, the light source 66 can emit visible light throughout the color spectrum. In another embodiment, light source 66 can also emit non-visible light, such as ultraviolet light, which can illuminate, for example, a fluorescent material on surface 22.

It should be understood that the light source 66 may be a monochromatic light source capable of emitting what is commonly referred to as visible white light. It should also be understood that the light source 66 may be a multi-color light source capable of emitting a particular color of the visible spectrum of the light L, for example, the light source 66 may be a red-green-blue (RGB) LED capable of emitting visible red, green, and blue light alone, or in combination, to emit a colored light formed by a combination of at least two of the visible red, green, and blue light.

In some embodiments, the light source 66 can emit light L in any direction. For example, the light sources 66 may be 60 degree half-light sources that emit light L in a cone shape with an angle of 60 degrees between the outermost lights L when measured along a plane extending through the center of the lights L. It should also be appreciated that the light source 66 may emit light L at any suitable angle.

In any embodiment, the light source 66 can emit light L at any intensity. It should be understood that the light sources 66 may be of any suitable type or configuration and may include any suitable number of light sources without departing from the scope of the present teachings.

First end 48 of light pipe 46 may extend into retainer 52 and face light source 66, and in one embodiment, light pipe 46 extends through first opening 56 into retainer 52 such that first end 48 is disposed within retainer 52, and light module 34 may include a first collar 65 extending radially from light pipe 46 at first end 48 to engage retainer 52, in other words, first collar 65 may extend radially to engage a portion of retainer 52 surrounding first opening 56. As shown in FIG. 4, the first collar 65 may be further defined as a pair of first collars 65 spaced from one another longitudinally along the light pipe 46, it being understood that the first collars 65 may be any number of first collars 65, and that engagement of the first collars 65 with the retainer 52 connects the light pipe 46 with the retainer 52 and positions the first end 48 of the light pipe 46 relative to the light source 66 to facilitate transmission of the light L into the light pipe 46.

Second end 50 of light pipe 46 may extend into housing 28 and face filter 36, and in one embodiment, light pipe 46 extends into housing 28 through inlet 54 such that second end 50 is disposed within housing 28, and light module 34 may include a second collar 67 extending radially from light pipe 46 at second end 50 to engage housing 28, in other words, second collar 67 may extend radially to engage a portion of housing 28 surrounding inlet 54. As shown in FIG. 8, the second collar 67 may be further defined as a pair of second collars 67 spaced from one another longitudinally along the light pipe 46, it being understood that the second collar 67 may be any number of second collars 67, and that engagement of the second collars 67 with the housing 28 connects the light pipe 46 with the housing 28 and positions the second end 50 of the light pipe 46 relative to the filter 36 to facilitate transmission of light L from the light pipe 46 to the filter 36.

The light pipe 46 may be at least partially transparent between the first end 48 and the second end 50 to transmit light therethrough. In one embodiment, the light pipe 46 may be completely transparent between the first end 48 and the second end 50, it being understood that the light pipe 46 may have any desired transparency. Further, it should be appreciated that the light L may be transmitted through the light pipe 46 in any suitable manner.

In a non-limiting embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the light pipe 46 can include an inner surface 69 and a jacket 71 surrounding the inner surface 69, the jacket 71 can at least partially surround and abut the inner surface 69, the abutment of the inner surface 69 and the jacket 71 defining a bounding region 73 to allow total internal reflection of the light L through the inner surface 69 between the first end 48 and the second end 50 of the light pipe 46, it being understood that the inner surface 69 and the jacket 71 can be formed of any suitable material that allows light to be transmitted between the first end 48 and the second end 50 of the light pipe 46.

In another non-limiting embodiment, the light pipe 46 may be formed from a single layer. The light pipe 46 may be completely or at least partially transparent. In this non-limiting embodiment, the light pipe may be formed of plastic. The plastic forming the light pipe may be completely transparent, or the light pipe 46 may be transparent in some portions and include opaque regions in other portions. In a non-limiting embodiment, the opaque portion may be formed on the transparent portion by molding, painting, etching, spraying, texturing, or otherwise forming the opaque portion. The number of opaque portions and how they are formed is not limited. Each of these methods of forming the opaque portion may be employed to achieve optimal light transmission through the light pipe 46 as desired.

The light pipe 46 is deflectable between the first end 48 and the second end 50 to position the aperture 32 of the housing 28 independent of the light source 66. In other words, light pipe 46 may be manipulated by bending to position first end 48 and second end 50 of light pipe 46 at various locations, as shown in FIG. 9, in doing so light source 66 may transmit light L to surface 22 without directly facing surface 22. This condition is desirable when packaging requirements do not allow the light source 66 to directly face the surface 22 (i.e., the light source 66 will not fit in a location directly facing the surface 22). Other examples are possible where light source 66 and surface 22 do not directly face each other. Further, the light pipe 46 may be any suitable length to position the aperture 32 of the housing 28 at any desired location independent of the light source 66.

As shown in fig. 4-8, the lighting device 24 may further include a condenser lens 68 disposed between the light emitting module 34 and the filter 36 for collimating the light L emitted from the light emitting module 34 toward the filter 36. in a non-limiting embodiment, as shown in fig. 6-8, the condenser lens 68 may have a central portion 70 of a circular configuration and a mounting body 72 disposed about the periphery of the central portion 70.

In one embodiment, a condenser lens 68 may be secured to the housing 28 and positioned between the filter 36 and the second end 50 of the light pipe 46, with the second end 50 facing the condenser lens 68 for transmitting light L from the light pipe 46 through the second end 50 into the condenser lens 68 for collimating the light L toward the filter 36.

In one non-limiting embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6-8, the mounting body 72 is disposed about the second end 50 of the light pipe 46, and more specifically, the mounting body 72 has a wall 74 disposed radially about the central portion 70 and extending toward the inlet 54, with the second end 50 of the light pipe 46 disposed within the wall 74 below the central portion 70. In this way, light L emitted from the second end 50 of the light pipe 46 is maintained around the wall 74, the central portion 70, and the inlet 54 within the housing 28, and in one embodiment, at least the central portion 70 may be transparent such that the light L may pass through the central portion 70. As shown in fig. 8, both the central portion 70 and the mounting body 72 may be transparent. In another embodiment, the mounting body 72 may be opaque such that light L cannot pass through the mounting body 72.

The mounting body 72 and the housing 28 may redirect the light L emitted from the light source 66 toward the central portion 70 through which the light L can pass. It should be appreciated that the central portion 70 and the mounting body 72 may have any suitable transparency. Conversely, the central portion 70 and the mounting body 72 can have any suitable amount of opacity. In one embodiment, the central portion 70 is axially aligned with the second end 50 of the light pipe 46 and the aperture 32, it being understood that the central portion 70 may be misaligned with the second end 50 of the light pipe 46 and the aperture 32.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the central portion 70 may have a substantially planar configuration. More specifically, the central portion 70 may have an entrance surface 75 and an exit surface 77, each having a substantially parallel and flat configuration.

In one embodiment, the central portion 70 may have a convex configuration. More specifically, the entrance surface 75 and the exit surface 77 may each have an arcuate configuration, wherein the entrance surface 75 curves outward toward the light source 66 and the exit surface 77 curves outward toward the aperture 32, it being understood that the entrance and exit surfaces may each have a radius and may be configured in any suitable relationship to collimate the light L, the entrance surface 75 and the exit surface 77 are configured to cooperatively interact to collimate the light L, the convex configuration collimates the light L such that light L emitted in random lateral directions from the second end 50 of the light pipe 46 may be collected in the central portion 70 of the condenser lens 68 and redirected into substantially parallel light L directed toward the aperture 32, it being understood that the condenser lens 68 may be any suitable configuration (e.g., a concave configuration), may have any suitable radius, and may be any suitable distance from the second end 50 of the light pipe 46, to collimate the light L.

In one embodiment, as shown in fig. 4-8, the illumination device 24 may further include an objective lens arrangement 78 disposed between the filter 36 and the aperture 32 for converting the light L from the basic pattern configuration 40 into the predetermined illumination pattern 26. The objective lens arrangement 78 may perform any one or any combination of the following functions: repairing chromatic aberrations in the light L, inverting the light L from the basic pattern member 40 into the predetermined illumination pattern 26, and focusing the basic pattern member 40 into the predetermined illumination pattern 26 having a specific size (i.e. focal length) on the surface 22. It should be understood that the objective lens arrangement 78 may perform other functions not specifically described herein.

In one embodiment, as shown in fig. 6-8, the objective lens arrangement 78 may include a first lens 80 and a second lens 82, wherein the first lens 80 is disposed between the light emitting module 34 and the second lens 82. Thus, the second lens 82 is disposed between the first lens 80 and the aperture 32, it being understood that the objective lens arrangement 78 may be comprised of any number of lenses.

In one embodiment, the second end 50 of the light pipe 46, the condenser lens 68, the filter 36, the first lens 80, the second lens 82, and the aperture 32 are substantially linearly aligned. This substantially linear alignment increases the efficiency of the illumination device 24 by facilitating a direct path for the light L from the emitted light L at the second end 50 of the light pipe 46 to the passage of the light L out of the cavity 30 of the housing 28 through the aperture 32. it should be understood that these components may be misaligned.

In one embodiment, as shown in fig. 6-8, the second lens 82 may have a lens wall 84 and the first lens 80 may have a recess 86, wherein the lens wall 84 is disposed in the recess 86 to guide the first and second lenses 80, 82 relative to each other. More specifically, each of the first lens 80 and the second lens 82 may have a central body 88, 90 and a mounting frame 92, 94 disposed radially around the central body 88, 90, the mounting frame 94 of the second lens 82 extending toward the first lens 80, the mounting frame 94 being defined as the lens wall 84, the mounting frame 92 of the first lens 80 extending toward the second lens 82, the mounting frame 92 and the central body 90 defining the recess 86. The diameter of each mounting frame 92, 94 of the first and second lenses 80, 82 can be such that the diameter of the mounting frame 94 of the second lens 82 is smaller than the diameter of the mounting frame 92 of the first lens 80 such that the lens wall 84 is disposed within the recess 86. As described above, the first and second lenses 80, 82 may be aligned with the second end 50 of the light pipe 46, the condenser lens 68, the filter 36, and the aperture 32, and more specifically, the central bodies 88, 90 of each of the first and second lenses 80, 82 may be aligned with the second end 50 of the light pipe 46, the central portion 70 of the condenser lens 68, the filter 36, and the aperture 32, and the lens walls 84 and the grooves 86 may be configured such that the mounting frames 92, 94 engage each other and maintain the first and second lenses 80, 82 in alignment with the second end 50 of the light pipe 46, the central portion 70 of the condenser lens 68, the filter 36, and the aperture 32.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will also appreciate that the reverse is also possible, i.e., the first lens 80 may have a lens wall 84 and the second lens 82 may have a groove 86, and similarly, the first lens 80 and the second lens 82 may be guided relative to each other in any suitable manner.

Examples of objective lens arrangements 78 that include some features that may be incorporated into the devices described herein are described in U.S. patent application 15/170, 268, which is incorporated herein by reference. However, it should be understood that the devices described herein are not limited to the illumination devices described herein or the exemplary embodiments described herein.

In one embodiment, the central body 88, 90 of each of the at least first and second lenses 80, 82 is transparent such that the light L can pass through the central body 88, 90. As shown in fig. 8, the central body 88, 90 and the mounting frame 92, 94 of each of the first lens 80 and the second lens 82 may be transparent. The mounting frame 92, 94 of each of the first and second lenses 80, 82 may be opaque such that the light L cannot pass through the mounting frame 92, 94. As such, the mounting frame 92, 94 of each of the first and second lenses 80, 82 redirects the light L emitted from the light source 66 toward the central body 88, 90 of each of the first and second lenses 80, 82, where the light L may pass therethrough. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the central body 88, 90 and the mounting frame 92, 94 of each of the first lens 80 and the second lens 82 may have any suitable amount of transparency. Conversely, the central body 88, 90 and mounting frame 92, 94 of each of the first lens 80 and the second lens 82 can have any suitable amount of opacity.

In one embodiment, as shown in fig. 8, the first lens 80 may have a first surface 96 and a second surface 98 spaced apart from each other, and the second lens 82 may have a first surface 100 and a second surface 102 spaced apart from each other, wherein the first surface 96 of the first lens 80 faces the light module 34, the second surface 102 of the second lens 82 faces the aperture 32, and wherein the second surface 98 of the first lens 80 and the first surface 100 of the second lens 82 face each other. In one embodiment, the second surface 98 of the first lens 80 and the first surface 100 of the second lens 82 are spaced apart from one another as shown in FIG. 8, it being understood that the second surface 98 of the first lens 80 may abut the first surface 100 of the second lens 82.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the central portion 70 may have a substantially planar configuration. More specifically, the central portions 70 of the first and second surfaces 96, 100, 98, 102 may each have a substantially parallel and planar configuration. Alternatively, each of the first surfaces 96, 100 and the second surfaces 98, 102 of the first lens 80 and the second lens 82 may be curved, wherein each surface 96, 98, 100, 102 has a radius. It should also be understood that the first lens 80 and the second lens 82 may be configured in any manner suitable to perform the desired function, including but not limited to, repairing chromatic aberrations in the light L, inverting the light L from the base pattern member 40 to the predetermined illumination pattern 26, and focusing the base pattern member 40 to the predetermined illumination pattern 26 having a particular size on the surface 22. It is understood that the first and second surfaces 96, 100, 98, 102 of the first and second lenses 80, 82 may have any suitable size, shape, and configuration without departing from the scope of the teachings disclosed herein.

In one embodiment, the condenser lens 68 and the first and second lenses 80, 82 may be constructed of polycarbonate. It should be understood that the condenser lens 68 and the first and second lenses 80, 82 may be constructed of polymethylmethacrylate ("PMMA"), glass, silicone, or any other suitable material that allows the light L to transmit therethrough. It should also be understood that the condenser lens 68 and the first and second lenses 80 and 82, respectively, may be constructed of different materials. In one embodiment, the condenser lens 68 and the first lens 80 comprise the same material. It will be appreciated that certain materials, such as silicone, have properties that contribute to increased light intensity, such as light L emitted when used outside a vehicle.

In one embodiment, the first lens 80 may have a plurality of pins 105. The condenser lens 68 may be secured to the housing 28 and may define a plurality of recesses 104. In one embodiment, the mounting body 72 of the condenser lens 68 includes recesses 104, the recesses 104 being radially disposed about the central portion 70, the pegs 105 and recesses 104 being aligned such that each peg 105 is independently disposed in each recess 104.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the illumination device 24 may further include a guide interface (indexingtrface) 106 that aligns the filter 36 relative to the housing 28 to position the predetermined illumination pattern 26 on the surface 22, the guide interface 106 may include a plurality of radially spaced voids 108. The filter 36 may also include voids 108. The optical filter 36 may be disposed between the objective lens arrangement 78 and the condenser lens 68, with each of the plurality of pins 105 individually disposed within the plurality of voids 108 and the plurality of recesses 104 to align and secure the optical filter 36 relative to the housing 28.

Alignment of the optical filter 36 refers to the positioning of the basic pattern member 40 relative to the housing 28 such that light L exiting the optical filter 36 in the basic pattern member 40 passes through the aperture 32 and is projected onto the surface 22 in the predetermined illumination pattern 26, wherein the predetermined illumination pattern 26 is rotationally aligned on the surface 22 in a desired orientation. In one embodiment, the housing 28 is fixed relative to the surface 22. As such, the rotational alignment of the predetermined illumination pattern 26 in the desired direction is dictated by the alignment of the optical filter 36 relative to the housing 28.

In one embodiment, filter 36 may have a substantially thin and flat configuration parallel to aperture 32, wherein filter 36 is sandwiched between condenser lens 68 and first lens 80, and filter 36 may have a central axis C. In one embodiment, the filter 36 extends radially from the axis C such that the filter 36 is disposed between the mounting body 72 of the condenser lens 68 and the mounting frame 92 of the first lens 80.

A plurality of voids 108 are disposed about and spaced from the axial center C. As described above, the plurality of voids 108 are configured to have the stud 105 disposed therein. Because the filter is mounted to the condenser lens 68, which is in turn mounted to the housing 28, the connection of the filter 36 to the condenser lens 68 mounts the filter 36 relative to the housing 28. Thus, the orientation of the void 108 about the central axis determines the orientation of the filter 36 relative to the housing 28.

Thus, when the voids 108 are positioned about the central axis, the desired orientation of the primary pattern member 40 relative to the housing 28 is considered. It should be understood that the void 108 may be provided on other components, such as the first lens 80 or the condenser lens 68, with the filter 36 having the pins 105 to engage the void 108. Likewise, the guide interface 106 may be any suitable configuration to align and secure the filter 36 relative to the housing 28.

The at least one opening 38 of the filter 36 with the basic pattern member 40 may be located at or about the axis C, it being understood that the at least one opening 38 may be located anywhere on the filter 36, the at least one opening 38 of the filter 36 with the basic pattern member 40 allowing the light L to transmit therethrough. As such, the at least one opening 38 is shaped such that the light L transmitted therethrough resembles the predetermined illumination pattern 26 on the surface 22, it being understood that the optical filter 36 may have a transparent or translucent panel disposed within the at least one opening 38, e.g., the panel may be colored such that the light L transmitted therethrough exhibits the colored characteristics of the panel, and then the panel is projected onto the surface 22, it being understood that the at least one opening 38 of the optical filter 36 may be any suitable member of the basic pattern member 40 that allows the light L to be transmitted therethrough.

Because the opening 38 of the filter 36 with the basic pattern member 40 defines the predetermined illumination pattern 26 on the surface 22, important considerations are given to the shape, configuration and orientation of the opening 38 relative to the housing 28 during design of the illumination device 24, as well as the orientation of the housing 28 relative to the surface 22 (such as the rotational position of the housing 28 and the angle at which the light L is projected from the housing 28 onto the surface 22) when designing the illumination system 20 to produce the desired predetermined illumination pattern 26, and further, the effect of each of the condenser lens 68 and the objective lens arrangement 78 on the light L when projecting the light L from the light emitting module 34 through the aperture 32 is also considered in determining the size, shape, configuration and material of the condenser lens 68 and the objective lens arrangement 78.

In one embodiment, the illumination device 24 may further include a disc 110 disposed between the aperture 32 and the objective lens arrangement 78, as shown in fig. 4-8, the illumination device 24 may further include a seal 112 engaging each of the disc 110 and the housing 28 about the aperture 32, the disc 110 and the seal 112 closing the aperture 32 and sealing the housing 28 at the aperture 32 to prevent fluid from seeping into the cavity 30 of the housing 28, which may be advantageous when used outside of a vehicle. However, it should be understood that the disc 110 and seal 112 may be used in the interior of a vehicle.

Referring generally to the configuration shown in fig. 3 and 4, to project light L onto surface 22 in a predetermined illumination pattern 26, light sources 66 of light emitting module 34 emit light L in multiple directions. Light L is transmitted into light pipe 46 at first end 48 and transmitted through light pipe 46 to second end 50. Light is emitted from the light pipe 46 at the second end 50, and as generally shown in FIG. 8, the light L may be transmitted through a condenser lens 68 and collimated such that the light L is substantially parallel. Light L passes through at least one opening 38 of the filter 36 and is arranged as a basic pattern member 40, and then light L may pass through the objective lens arrangement 78, wherein light L may be arranged from the basic pattern member 40 in the orientation of the predetermined illumination pattern 26, the light L passing through the disc 110. The light L then passes through the aperture 32 and is projected onto the surface 22 in the predetermined illumination pattern 26, as shown in fig. 2.

Thus, the present invention reduces the cost of manufacturing the vehicle lighting system. In particular, the light may be projected onto any surface. Thus, the surface need not be a particular material with a particular transparency to allow light to be projected through from behind the surface. Further, the teachings disclosed herein allow for aftermarket application of lighting devices, as lighting devices may be installed to project light onto a surface. It should be understood that the present invention is compatible with and modularly incorporated into many different types of applications within a vehicle without requiring significant changes to existing manufacturing equipment and/or tools.

The teachings disclosed herein have been described in an illustrative manner. It is to be understood that the terminology, which has been used, is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Although the features described above are in particular combinations, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that each feature may be rearranged or omitted. Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings.