DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION:
The present invention relates to a light beam illumination unit with light emitting surface and method thereof. In particular, the present invention specifically relates to an automobile illumination unit that can be incorporated as a lighting unit and signalling unit. The illumination unit designed has uniformly lit illumination surface.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
In state-of-the-art, automobiles/vehicles are equipped with headlamps/headlights that are integrated as lighting unit. The automobile is equipped with such headlamps to provide sufficient light beam to the vehicle driver. The projected light beam ensures proper visibility to a vehicle driver for visualizing object/s lying on the road. Additionally, automobiles are also equipped with a signalling unit such as a turn signal lamp, stop lamp, position lamp, and so on. The function of signalling unit is to indicate vehicle direction movement. Further, different signalling units have different function such as turn signal lamp is used during turning of vehicle either in left or right direction, while stop lamp is used whenever vehicle is stopped in order to inform preceding vehicle driver about stopping of antecedent vehicle.
As a matter of fact, style and aesthetics plays a very crucial role for an automobile manufacturer during designing of a lighting unit and signalling unit, as it imparts a unique design to them. Thereby, it provides a unique ‘signature’ effect for such units. This way, it helps people to recognize both automobile manufacturers and type of automobile. The unique ‘signature effect’ also adds feature of providing distinction between an automobile’s lighting unit and signalling unit respectively.
The unique ‘signature’ effect from lighting unit and signalling unit is quite clear during day-time because headlamp is in OFF mode. During night-time, when headlamp is in ON mode, there is a technical issue wherein the illumination surface of lighting unit and signalling unit suffers from disparate because of which it does not lit up properly, adequately, suitable, and homogeneously. This causes great confusion, especially during night time, when there is a simultaneous lit up of lighting unit and signalling unit. The unique ‘signature’ effect as desired from their designing also gets hampered.
Additionally, providing unique styling to automobile’s lighting unit and/or signal unit is quite a challenge due to limited surface area in an automobile such as two wheelers, three wheelers, four wheelers etc., especially in two-wheelers (for 3 wheelers as well). Moreover, apart from the available limited surface area within which headlights/headlamps/lighting units/signal units must be installed, it is primarily important for such units to illuminate homogeneously.
The following prior arts are available which disclose an automobile/ vehicle illumination device used for providing functionality of lighting unit and/or signalling unit:
US9476558B2 discloses and teaches a projection lens for use in an LED module of a motor vehicle headlamp. The LED module has a light source in the form of an LED matrix including numerous LED chips disposed in a matrix adjacent to and/or above one another, a primary lens including numerous primary lens elements disposed in a matrix adjacent to and/or above one another for bundling light emitted from the light source, and a projection lens. The projection lens projects a light exit surface of the primary lens to generate a predefined light distribution on a surface in front of the vehicle. The projection lens is designed such that it generates at least two separate images of the light exit surface of the primary lens on its image side, which are offset to one another in the horizontal direction.
CN213577305U discloses and teaches a multifunctional multiplexing illuminator of car light that possess a microstructure decorative pattern. This illuminator comprises of a lampshade, a light guide assembly, a light guide front lining plate, a light guide plate, a micro-structure pattern, a light inlet surface, a light outlet surface, a light guide support, a shell, an LED module and an LED light source. Further, the light guide assembly includes a light guide front substrate, a light guide plate and a light guide bracket arranged in this order from front to back. The back surface of the light guide plate is provided with a micro-structure pattern, wherein the micro-texture patterns are saw-toothed, and the saw-toothed are arranged in sequence. The use of micro-structure pattern for reflection of light rays provides an advantage of providing uniform light beam illumination. The illuminated beam is used for signalling function such as turn signal lamp, steering lamp, and so on.
CN112066337B discloses and teaches a vehicle lamp that comprises of a light source unit, a light path adjusting unit, an optical member, an incident surface, an emitting surface, an incident lens, an ejection lens, a baffle plate and a baffle part. In this lamp, the optical member is positioned in front of light source unit wherein the optical member has plurality of incident lenses adhered to it. Further, there is another optical member in front of first optical member that has emission lenses adhered to it in order to allow emission of light beam from the vehicle lamp. The invention disclosed in CN’337 results into a light beam that has continuous and uniform brightness.
US20130027960A1 discloses and teaches an optical device for a motor vehicle in particular a lighting and/or signalling devices that comprises of a main light source, an auxiliary light source, and a cover lens wherein these optical elements are placed and arranged in the housing. The auxiliary light source is placed in between cover lens and main light source. The main source or sources produce a first photometric function and the auxiliary source or sources produce a second photometric function that is different from the first. These photometric functions are preferably lighting and/or signalling functions. For example, the main source or sources can produce a position lamp type function and the auxiliary source or sources produces a side-marker lamp type function, which indicates the width of the vehicle.
US20170059110A1 discloses and teaches a lighting device for an automotive vehicle, that includes a first semiconductor light source and a second semiconductor light source that can be selectively activated and a optic for shaping the light emitted by either or both of said first semiconductor light source and said second semiconductor light source with the aim of generating at least two lighting and/or signalling functions.
US’110 discloses that the lightning device being configured so that a first lighting and/or signalling function requires an activation of said first semiconductor light source and a second lighting and/or signalling function requires an activation of said second semiconductor light source, at least said second semiconductor light source comprising a plurality of light-emitting rods of submillimeter size.
US’110 teaches about a technology consisting of producing the light-emitting area with a forest of submillimeter-sized light-emitting rods that are grown on a substrate, in order to produce a three-dimensional topology, is applied to the automotive field. It is understood that this three-dimensional topology has the advantage of multiplying the light-emitting surface area with respect to the light-emitting diodes currently known in the automotive field, namely substantially planar diodes.
However, none of the available/ existing prior art(s) is able to devise a light beam illumination unit serving dual function of signalling unit and/or lighting unit, wherein such illumination unit is compact in size. In furtherance of this, existing illumination suffers from a limitation of complexity. Additionally, existing illumination unit projects a light beam that is dissimilar and heterogeneous in nature, especially during night-time. Due to this, there is a hampering of functionality as provided by existing illumination unit.
In order to overcome associated technical issues of existing illumination unit, there is an introduction of present invention. Hence, it is an object of present invention to devise an illumination unit for a vehicle with light emitting surface module, wherein such unit has an illumination surface which irradiate homogeneously, uniformly, properly, adequately, and sufficiently in front of a vehicle/automobile.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
The present invention relates to a light beam illumination unit/apparatus/module with unique light-emitting surface and method thereof.
Further, the present invention relates to a light beam illumination unit/apparatus/module with unique light-emitting surface which includes:
- a plurality of main light source;
- a plurality of pre-determined curvature lens;
- a plurality of optical homogenizer integrated with grooves at its ends;
- a plurality of light guide blade with prism at its inner surface and having extensions at its ends; and
- a plurality of auxiliary light source;
wherein,
- the lens is arranged at a pre-determined distance from the main light source to receive light rays from it;
- the optical homogenizer is integrated with plurality of light emitting surface module, and the optical homogenizer is located at pre-determined distance from lens to receive directed light rays uniformly and homogeneously;
- the light guide blade is arranged at a pre-determined distance from optical homogenizer, and prism of light guide blade receives projected light rays from the optical homogenizer;
- the auxiliary light source is arranged at pre-determined distance from extensions of light guide blade, and extensions of light guide blade receive light rays emitted by the auxiliary light source,
and the unique arrangement of the optical elements of illumination unit provides a plurality of functionality by lighting unit and signalling unit simultaneously.
Advantageously, unique arrangement of optical elements in the illumination unit of present invention leads to following outcomes:
• serving multiple functionalities, wherein at one instance, the illumination unit is integrated as lighting unit and/or signalling unit;
• compact illumination unit that is simple and easy to integrate within an automobile/vehicle;
• providing beam shaping in high beam and cut-off line in a low beam;
• providing homogenous light surface in front of a vehicle/automobile;
• providing evenly shape/illumination and homogenous light surface in front of a vehicle; and
• providing adequate distinction of lighting unit and/or signalling unit especially during night-time, day time, low beam light and indicator.
Further, the present invention relates to a method of functioning of the optical elements of illumination unit wherein method includes:
- arranging optical elements in a pre-determined arrangement order within an illumination unit;
- simultaneous switching ON of a main light source and an auxiliary light source equipped within an illumination unit;
- then, light rays are emitted from main light source that are received by lens;
- next, directed light rays from lens falls onto grooves as present on ends of an optical homogenizer and thereafter inside optical homogenizer;
- further, projected light rays form the optical homogenizer falls onto an input surface of the light guide. The light can pass through the light guide without any change or the blade of light guide may contribute to the beam shaping and provides projected light beam.;
- simultaneously, the light rays as emitted from the auxiliary light source will fall onto extension and thereafter within a light guide blade, that provide a resultant signalling light beam;
- thus, simultaneous projecting dual light beam of lighting and signalling unit from the illumination unit.
The method of functioning of the optical elements of illumination unit can be performed by single unit or by composition of multiple units.
The summary is provided to introduce the system as a representative concept in a simplified form that is further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to limit the key essential features of the present invention nor its scope and application.
Other advantages and details about the system and the method will become more apparent to a person skilled in the art from the below-detailed description of the invention when read in conjugation with the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
Embodiments are described with reference to the following Figures. The same numbers may be used throughout to reference like features and components that are shown in the Figures:
Figure 1(a) illustrates schematic layout of arrangement of optical elements in illumination unit in accordance with embodiment of present invention.
Figure 1(b) illustrates a close view of optical homogenizer of illumination unit in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 1(c) illustrates general view of light guide blade of illumination unit in accordance with the embodiment of present invention.
Figure 1(d) illustrates resultant light beam projection from unique arrangement of optical elements integrated in illumination unit in accordance with embodiment of present invention.
Figure 1(e) illustrates integration of different lenses and different grooves in illumination unit for projecting different type of light beam in accordance with embodiment of present invention.
Figure 1(f) illustrates another unique arrangement of illumination unit for projecting different types of light beam in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 1(g) illustrates the front view of PCB with LED’s depicting the placement of LED light sources for Low Beam or High Beam and signal functions LEDs (TI, DRL, front position lamp) in accordance with an embodiment of present invention.
Figure 2 illustrates method of functioning of the optical elements of illumination unit in accordance with an embodiment of present invention.
The present invention can be understood with reference to the detailed figures and description set forth herein. Various embodiments are discussed below with reference to the figures. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed descriptions given herein with respect to the figures are simply for an explanation of the invention as the methods and systems may extend beyond the described embodiments. For example, the teachings presented and the needs of a particular application yield multiple alternatives and suitable approaches to implement the functionality of any detail described herein. Therefore, any approach extends beyond the particular implementation choices in the following embodiments described and shown.
References to “one embodiment,” “at least one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “one example,” “an example,” “for example,” and so on indicate that the embodiment(s) or example(s) may include a particular feature, structure, circuit, architecture, characteristic, property, element, or limitation but that not every embodiment or example necessarily includes that particular feature, circuit, architecture, structure, characteristic, property, element, or limitation. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in an embodiment” does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.

TERMS:
Luminous Intensity: It is defined as a measure of power of the emitted light, by a light source in a particular direction, per unit solid angle.
Collimation/Collimated Beam: It is defined as process of converting scattered light into a beam of light with a large number of parallel rays. Thus, collimation is a process wherein light beam is narrow down wherein the light beam achieves a certain direction in order to main size and shape of light beam over a long distance.
DESCRIPTION
An automobile is equipped with state-of-art illumination unit, wherein such illumination unit includes a lighting unit and a signalling unit. The conventional lighting unit and signalling unit in the automobile is integrated separately at a pre-determined location according to their functionality. These individual lighting and signalling units are imparted with unique design to provide ‘signature’ effect. This allows easy, adequate, and proper recognition of vehicle manufacturer and type of vehicle. During day-time, there is no issue of recognition of vehicle manufacturer and/or type of vehicle, but during night-time, illumination surface integrated within automobile lighting unit/ signalling unit suffers from limitation of disparity. Due to this, illumination surface irradiates non-uniformly, inadequately, and unevenly because of which there occurs confusion between distinction of lighting unit and signalling unit. This causes major cost to automobile manufacturers since their unique signature effect integrated in lighting unit/ signalling unit becomes invisible.
In furtherance of this, conventional lighting unit and signalling unit in an automobile is placed separately according to their functionality. Due to this, there is an increase in overall weight of an automobile which is primarily undesirable from automobile manufacturers and customers view point. This also leads to space shortage, especially for two wheelers, thus other additional units face difficulty while integrating them in an automobile.
The technical issues as posed by the conventional illumination unit of vehicle need to be addressed and tackled.
Therefore, it is an objective of present invention to provide an illumination unit that can be integrated as lighting unit and/or signalling unit, wherein such an illumination unit is compact in size. Further, the illumination unit serves multiple functionalities.
The present invention relates to a light beam illumination unit/apparatus/module with unique light-emitting surface which includes:
- a plurality of main light source;
- a plurality of pre-determined curvature lens;
- a plurality of optical homogenizer integrated with grooves at its ends;
- a plurality of light guide blade with prism at its inner surface and having extensions at its ends; and
- a plurality of auxiliary light source;
wherein,
- the lens is arranged at a pre-determined distance from the main light source to receive light rays from it;
- the optical homogenizer is integrated with plurality of light emitting surface module, and the optical homogenizer is located at pre-determined distance from lens to receive directed light rays uniformly and homogeneously;
- the light guide blade is arranged at a pre-determined distance from optical homogenizer, and prism of light guide blade receives projected light rays from the optical homogenizer;
- the auxiliary light source is arranged at pre-determined distance from extensions of light guide blade, and extensions of light guide blade receive light rays emitted by the auxiliary light source,
and the unique arrangement of the optical elements of illumination unit provides multiple functionalities by lighting unit and signalling unit simultaneously.
Figure 1(a) illustrates a schematic layout of arrangement of optical elements in illumination unit in accordance with embodiment of present invention. The illumination unit of present invention (100) includes optical elements such as a main light/ illumination source (101), a lens (102), an optical homogenizer (103) integrated with protrusions -based optical element (103a) at either ends, and a light guide blade (105) with prism (104) at its inner surface and an auxiliary light/illumination source (101b). The light guide blade (105) has extensions (106) at one of its ends. In the illumination unit, optical elements are arranged perpendicularly with respect to an imaginary horizontal axis, wherein such optical axis passes through the centre/mid-section of these elements. Therefore, the illumination unit of present invention is integrated as lighting unit and/or signalling unit. Further, the illumination unit provides multiple functionalities from these units.
The optical elements are arranged in a pre-determined unique arrangement order in an illumination unit of present invention. Further, the main light source (101) in illumination unit is of LED type that emit light rays from it. Alternatively, in another embodiment, the type of main light source varies in accordance with convenience of a user. There is a lens (102) located at pre-determined distance from main light source (101) to receive light rays from main light source. Further, the lens has a pre-determined curvature and length in accordance with convenience of user or requirement. Accordingly, material employed for lens will depend on the requirement of user. The type of lens varies in accordance with usage or requirement and convenience of user.
The lens (102) is followed by an optical homogenizer (103) wherein they are at a pre-determined distance from each other. The optical homogenizer (103) is equipped with grooves-based optical element (103a) at either ends, wherein such grooves or protrusions– optical surfaces/elements are of pre-determined curvature. The grooves (103a) at either ends of optical homogenizer (103) can vary in shape in accordance with usage of illumination unit. In one of the instances, optical homogenizer (103) is equipped in some area with day time running lamp optical elements (grooves or pillows) illuminated by light sources for TI(Turn Indicator) /DRL(Day Time Running Light) /POS (Position light) (103c), and low beam or high beam unit grooves illuminated by LED light sources for LB (Low Beam) and HB (High Beam) (exclusive for LB and exclusive for HB/ADB (High Beam/Adaptive Driving Beam)) (103d). In another instance, optical homogenizer (103) has both curve-based grooves (103a) and triangular based grooves (103b) and is based in accordance with convenience of user. The optical homogenizer (103) is arranged in such way to be able to receive directed light rays from lens (102). Furthermore, optical homogenizer (103) is arranged in such manner so that light received on its surface is achieved homogeneously, uniformly, evenly, adequately, properly, and suitably. The optical homogenizer (103) as illustrated in Fig. 1(b) details that it is integrated with a plurality of an array of cells, wherein the cell has numerous rows and columns respectively. These cells are integrated with plurality of light emitting surface module. The light emitting surface module serve function of forming cut-off line in a low beam, providing beam shape in a high beam, forming day time running lamp and so on. Additionally, grooves (103a) of optical homogenizer (103) ensures providing directed light rays in a uni-direction i.e. towards light guide blade (105) only. In other words, grooves (103a) of optical homogenizer (103) provides collimation of directed light rays so that these light rays are moving parallelly in a uniform and aligned manner.
Further, the optical homogenizer (103) is followed by a light guide blade (105) having extensions (106) at either end. The light guide blade (105) is equipped with prism (104) of pre-determined shape and depth at its inner surface. In fig. 1 (c) light guide blade (105) is illustrated having a leg in the form of extensions (106), wherein such extension (106) is present at one of the ends of light guide blade (105). It is pertinent to note that light guide blade (105) allows intermingling of light rays that are emitted by main light source and auxiliary light source that enhances distinction between signalling unit and lighting unit. In furtherance of this, the unique arrangement of optical elements in illumination unit of present invention (100) provides distinctive formation of light beam. Further, the illumination unit is integrated with lighting unit and signalling unit that provides multiple functionalities such as turn signal lamp, fog light unit, front position lamp, day-time running lamp, fog lamp, and so on.
Arrangement of optical units in present invention of light beam illumination unit allows a unique distinctive visibility of lighting unit and signalling unit. This is achieved by ensuring that light received by either optical homogenizer (103) and/ or by light guide blade (105) is achieved in homogeneous, uniform, and even manner. This primarily results in an evenly shape/illumination of the present light beam illumination unit and provide improved homogeneous light surface in front of a vehicle/automobile. Further, it always provides homogeneous shining surface in front of the light beam illumination unit.
Accordingly, present invention includes multiple alternative exemplary embodiments. In furtherance of this, Figure 1(b) illustrates different types of lighting/ signalling units such as day-time running/ position unit (103c), low beam unit (103d). These units are integrated in a pre-determined arrangement in an optical homogenizer (103) in accordance with convenience of a user.

Another exemplary embodiment is illustrated in Figure 1(d) that illustrates integration of different lenses in illumination unit for projecting different type of light beam in accordance with embodiment of present invention. In this arrangement, optical elements include a main light source (101a), an auxiliary light source (101b), primary/ first lens (102a), secondary lens (102b), optical homogenizer (103) with grooves (103a) at either ends, light guide blade (105) with prisms (104) and leg (106). These optical elements are arranged in such unique manner that it provides uniformly lit illumination surface. Furthermore, array of cells in optical homogenizer (103) are integrated and arranged with such lighting/ signalling units such that resultant light beam has types such as high beam and low beam formation capabilities.
Figure 1(e) illustrates integration of different lenses and different grooves in illumination unit for projecting different type of light beam in accordance with embodiment of present invention. In this arrangement, the light guide blade (105) is integrated in optical homogenizer (103) to form a unique singular assembly (103’) which provide homogeneous Low beam and high beam illumination. Further, in this arrangement, the unique singular assembly (103’) comprises of curve-based grooves (103a) and triangular based grooves (103b). These different types of grooves are employed for providing multiple functionalities of providing signalling units and lighting unit in accordance with convenience of user. Also, in the present embodiment, the auxiliary light source (101b) is present at the bottom side of the singular assembly (103’) to provide the de-coupling effect.
As a result of the present embodiment, integration of different lenses and different grooves results in reduction of overall weight of the illumination unit (100) leading to the illumination unit (100) becoming lighter. Also, the manufacturing process is more economical as per this embodiment. Further, the illumination unit (100) of the present invention is equipped with lighting unit and signalling unit which makes it appropriate for a vehicle. Further, illumination unit of present invention can be utilized in traffic lamp post to impart clear, adequate, and proper light beam for a vehicle driver plying on road. Also, the illumination of present invention can be utilized in shops to provide lighting of their unique name and logo for people at large.
The pre-determined arrangement of optical elements is determined with respect to an imaginary horizontal optical axis. Further, each of the optical elements are placed perpendicularly in reference to imaginary horizontal optical axis. The pre-determined arrangement of optical elements in illumination unit is achieved in following way:
(a) placing lens (102) at pre-determined distance in the range of 1-50mm from main light source (101a);
(b) thereafter, next to lens (102), at pre-determined distance in the range of 0-50 mm, optical homogenizer (103) is placed;
(c) then after the optical homogenizer (103) at pre-determined distance in the range of 0-100mm light guide blade (105) is placed; and
(d) finally at the end, the auxiliary light source (101b) is placed at a predetermined distance in the range of 0-50mm from the light guide blade (105).
Thus, the unique arrangement of optical elements of the illumination unit (100) is put in such order that it provide multiple functionalities of lighting unit and signalling unit simultaneously.
Figures 1(f) illustrates another embodiment of the present invention of illumination unit. It provides usage of different optical elements as employed in another embodiment of optical homogenizer in accordance with the present invention. Accordingly, in this alternate embodiment of illumination unit, main light source (101a), first lens (102a), secondary lens (102b), an optical homogenizer (103) integrated into a unique singular assembly (103’), with grooves or protrusions -based optical elements [103a, 103b], auxiliary light source (101b) and a second lens (102b) are employed. The unique singular assembly (103’) has different types of grooves-based optical elements (103a and 103b) to it. In this, day-time running lamp and low beam unit (103c & 103d) are also present. The low beam unit grooves (103d) provide formation of cut-off line during projecting low beam. The daytime running lamp unit (103c) are intended for other vehicle drivers to spot vehicle on road. Thus, the illumination unit (100) can be used as low beam headlamp and daytime running lamp.
This embodiment consists of two main sub-assemblies:
1.) The LB/HB (ADB) subassembly – this assembly consists of LED light sources for Low Beam (LB) and High Beam (HB) (exclusive for LB and exclusive for HB/ADB) (103d), single or multiple lenses system including the main light source (101a), first lens (102a) and the secondary lens (102b) forming the collimating primary optics, a shield responsible for the LB cut-off line or needed for the beam shaping by ADB segments and the optical homogenizer (103) lens having small lenses array on both sides.
2.) The TI/DRL/POS subassembly – this assembly consists of TI and DRL/POS light sources (LEDs) (103c), coupling primary optics and the light guide blade having de-coupling optical features (prisms, bumps, pillows etc.) on the back or front side. Further, an important condition in this sub-assembly is that the optical de-coupling elements alternate in both directions with the lens array grid of the output surface of the optical homogenizer (103).
Accordingly, in this alternate embodiment of illumination unit (100), the main light source (101a) may be present on a PCB (113) having LED’s along with auxiliary light source (101b) and another light source/s as a single light source unit (115). Further, the single light source unit (115) also includes the DRL/POS or TI LED (103c) and the LB/HB LED (103d).Further, next to the single light source unit (115), the first lens (102a) and the secondary lens (102b) are present that form the collimating or primary optics unit. Also, in this arrangement, the optical homogenizer (103) comprises of curved based grooves (103a) and triangular based grooves (103b). These different types of grooves (103a and 103b) are employed for providing multiple functionalities of providing signalling units and lighting unit in accordance with convenience of user.
In the first sub-assembly arrangement, the light as generated by the LB/HB LEDs (103d) is collimated by the primary optics unit (101a, 102a and 102b) and then it enters into the homogenizer input surface. The light beam as entered into the optical homogenizer part of the unique singular assembly (103’) input surface will be shaped by the shield array, prism, grooves and other optical elements (if required). After that, the light beam proceeds through the TI/DRL light guide blade part of unique singular assembly (103’) avoiding any negative influence with de-coupling elements present on the light guide blade part of unique singular assembly (103’). Finally, the light beam as it comes outside the light guide blade part of unique singular assembly (103’) will go in front of the illumination unit (100) to illuminate the road. Further, the illumination as results from the unique singular assembly (103’) may be low beam and/or high beam illumination.
Further, in the second sub-assembly arrangement, the TI/DRL light sources (103c) emit light into the coupling elements of the light guide blade of the unique singular assembly (103’) and the light is propagated along the light guide blade part of unique singular assembly (103’) until the light hits the de-coupling element there. The light is then de-coupled afterwards and it then shines out of the lamp as TI or DRL. The fine grid of the optical elements on the output surface of the unique singular assembly (103’) causes homogeneously illuminated area for the observer when he is situated far enough from the lamp such as in the range of 50cm+. The LB/HB/TI/DRL/POS are visually shining out of the same surface and it is homogeneously lit for all the applications. Thus, the vehicle has the same light signature for day and night i.e. the illumination is same for day and night. Figure 1(g) illustrates the front view of PCB (113) with LED’s depicting the placement of LED light sources for LB and HB LED’s (103d) and the TI and DRL/POS light sources (LEDs) (103c). The source for LB and HB LED’s (103d) may occupy the centre position on the PCB (113) and the TI and DRL/POS light sources (LEDs) (103c) are placed at positions surrounding the LB and HB LED’s (103d). Further, if required, the source for LB and HB may present at sides or corner position on the PCB.
Fig 2 discusses a method (200) of functioning of the optical elements of the illumination unit includes steps:
- At step (201), arranging optical elements within an illumination unit in a pre-determined unique arrangement.
- Then at step (202), simultaneous switching ‘ON’ of the main light source (101) and auxiliary light source (107).
- Next at step (203), main light source (101) emits light rays that falls onto surface of lens (102).
- Next at step (204), the lens (102) form directed light rays that falls onto optical element (103a) of optical homogenizer (103). This is followed by passing of directed light rays inside the light emitting surface module as present within an optical homogenizer (103). Further, directed light rays strikes each of optical homogenizer (103) to ensure that directed light rays are moving in uni-direction i.e. towards prism (104) of light guide blade (105). Additionally, the optical homogenizer (103) is arranged and structured in grid/array manner so that light is received in homogeneous, uniform, shiny and even manner.
- Further at step (205), optical homogenizer (103) may or may not form projected light rays that falls onto prism (104). In case where the optical homogenizer forms the projected light rays, the light guide blade (105) projects light rays that strike onto surface of prism (104) which thereby allows uni-direction to such projected light rays. This also allows decoupling of light rays within a light guide blade. Due to this, there is a resultant projection light beam that illuminates road surface for a vehicle driver.
- Simultaneously, at step (206), light rays as emitted by auxiliary light source (107) falls onto surface of light guide blade (105). Additionally, the emitted light rays strike onto surface of prism (104) of light guide blade (105). Due to this, there is a resultant projection of light beam that enables vehicle driver to visualize vehicle direction movement. Furthermore, light guide blade (105) in present invention is integrated in such a manner that light is received in uniform, homogenous, and even manner.
Lastly, at step (207), there is a simultaneous projection of light beam of lighting unit and signalling unit from illumination unit of present invention. The lighting unit integrated within illumination unit of present invention is used for projection of low beam, high beam, and so on. The signalling unit integrated within illumination unit of present invention is used as vehicle turn signal lamp, vehicle stop indication lamp, and so on. Advantageously, the illumination of present invention is characterized by following outcomes:
- Serving multiple functionalities by lighting unit and/or signalling unit;
- Providing a compact illumination unit that requires less space for its installation within a vehicle;
- Providing beam shaping in high beam and cut-off line in a low beam;
- Projecting light beam from illumination unit that is homogeneous, uniform, and has an improved luminous intensity;
- Providing adequate, homogeneous, uniform, even, suitable, and proper light receiving/illuminating surface that allows adequate distinction between lighting unit and signalling unit of automobile;
- Illumination unit is easy to manufacture because of simple design and arrangement of optical elements. Further, this illumination unit is cheap and cost effective for people at large; and
- Always providing homogenous shinning surface in front of the light illumination unit.
A description of an embodiment with several components in communication with each other does not imply that all such components are required. On the contrary, a variety of optional components are described to illustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of the invention. The present disclosure may be realized in a centralized fashion, in at least one processing system, or in a distributed fashion, where different elements may be spread across several interconnected systems or circuits connected to the optical system.
A person with ordinary skills in the art will appreciate that the optical elements, modules, units and sub-modules have been illustrated and explained to serve as examples and should not be considered limiting in any manner. It will be further appreciated that the variants of the above-disclosed optical elements, units, modules, and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined to create other different systems or applications.
While the present disclosure has been described with reference to certain embodiments and exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from its scope.
,CLAIMS:We Claim:
1. A light beam illumination apparatus (100) with common illumination surface to provide homogeneous illumination comprises:
- a plurality of main light source (101 a);
- a plurality of auxiliary light source (101b);
- a plurality of pre-determined curvature lens (102) is located at a pre-determined distance from the main light source (101a) to receive light rays from it;
- a plurality of optical homogenizer (103) is located at pre-determined distance from pre-determined curvature lens (102) to receive directed light rays uniformly and homogeneously; and
- a plurality of light guide blade (105) with prism (104) of pre-determined shape and depth at its inner surface and extensions (106) at one of the ends;

wherein,

the light guide blade (105) is arranged at a pre-determined distance from the optical homogenizer (103), and prism (104) of light guide blade (105) receives projected light rays from the optical homogenizer (103);

the auxiliary light source (101b) is arranged at pre-determined distance from extensions of light guide blade (105), and extensions of light guide blade (105) receive light rays emitted by the auxiliary light source (101b), and

the light beam illumination apparatus (100) provides functionality of lighting unit and/or signalling unit simultaneously.

2. The light beam illumination apparatus (100) with common illumination surface to provide homogeneous illumination as claimed in claim 1, wherein the main light source (101 a) is of LED type.
3. The light beam illumination apparatus (100) with common illumination surface to provide homogeneous illumination as claimed in claim 1, wherein the main light source (101 a) produces a first photometric function and the auxiliary light source (101b) produces a second photometric function.
4. The light beam illumination apparatus (100) with common illumination surface to provide homogeneous illumination as claimed in claim 3, wherein the photometric functions are lighting and/or signalling functions.
5. Curvature lens comprises-The light beam illumination apparatus (100) with common illumination surface to provide homogeneous illumination as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pre-determined curvature lens (102) comprises:
• a plurality of primary/ first lens (102a); and
• a plurality of secondary lens (102b).
6. The light beam illumination apparatus (100) with common illumination surface to provide homogeneous illumination as claimed in claim 1, wherein the predetermined distance between pre-determined curvature lens (102) and the main light source (101a) is in the range of 1-50mm.
7. The light beam illumination apparatus (100) with common illumination surface to provide homogeneous illumination as claimed in claim 1, wherein the optical homogenizer (103) comprises:
• a plurality of grooves of pre-determined curvature (103a);
• a plurality of triangular based grooves (103b);
• a plurality of day time running lamp unit/TI (Turn Indicator)/ DRL (day time running light) /POS (Position light) subassembly (103c); and
• a plurality of low beam unit grooves/LED light sources for LB (Low Beam) and HB (High Beam) (exclusive for LB and exclusive for HB/ADB (High Beam/ Adaptive Driving Beam)) (103d).
8. The light beam illumination apparatus (100) with common illumination surface to provide homogeneous illumination as claimed in claim 1, wherein the optical homogenizer (103) is arranged and structured in a grid and/or an array manner so that the received output rays are uniform and homogeneous.
9. The light beam illumination apparatus (100) with common illumination surface to provide homogeneous illumination as claimed in claim 8, wherein the optical homogenizer (103) is integrated with a plurality of an array of cells, the cell having numerous rows and columns respectively.
10. The light beam illumination apparatus (100) with common illumination surface to provide homogeneous illumination as claimed in claim 9, wherein the array of cells in optical homogenizer (103) are integrated and arranged with lighting and/or signalling units to provide high beam and low beam formation capabilities in the resultant beam.
11. The light beam illumination apparatus (100) with common illumination surface to provide homogeneous illumination as claimed in claim 1, wherein the predetermined distance between optical homogenizer (103) and the pre-determined curvature lens (102) is in the range of 0-50mm.
12. The light beam illumination apparatus (100) with common illumination surface to provide homogeneous illumination as claimed in claim 1, wherein the predetermined distance between the light guide blade (105) and the optical homogenizer (103) is in the range of 0-100 mm.
13. The light beam illumination apparatus (100) with common illumination surface to provide homogeneous illumination as claimed in claim 12, wherein the light guide blade (105) allows intermingling of light rays emitted by main light source (101a) and auxiliary light source (101b) to enhance distinction between signalling unit and lighting unit.
14. The light beam illumination apparatus (100) with common illumination surface to provide homogeneous illumination as claimed in claim 1, wherein the predetermined distance between the auxiliary light source (101b) and the extensions of light guide blade (105) is in the range of 0-50mm.
15. The light beam illumination apparatus (100) with common illumination surface to provide homogeneous illumination as claimed in claim 1, wherein extensions of light guide blade (105) receive light rays emitted by the auxiliary light source (101b).
16. The light beam illumination apparatus (100) with common illumination surface to provide homogeneous illumination as claimed in claim 1, wherein light rays projected by the light guide blade (105) striking onto the surface of the prism (104) are decoupled.
17. The light beam illumination apparatus (100) with common illumination surface to provide homogeneous illumination as claimed in claim 1, wherein the light guide blade along with the prism is integrated with the optical homogenizer (103) to form a unique singular assembly (103’).
18. The light beam illumination apparatus (100) with common illumination surface to provide homogeneous illumination as claimed in claim 17, wherein the auxiliary light source (101b) is placed at the bottom side of the unique singular assembly (103’).
19. A light beam illumination apparatus (100) with common illumination surface to provide the same light signature for day and night time comprises:
- a singular light source unit (115) comprises of a plurality of main light source (101a), a plurality of auxiliary light source (101b), a plurality of TI and DRL/POS light sources (LEDs) (103c) and a plurality of LED light source for LB and HB (103d);
- a plurality of pre-determined curvature lens (102); and
- a plurality of unique singular assembly (103’);
wherein,
- the pre-determined curvature lens (102) is located at a pre-determined distance from a single light source unit (115) to receive light rays from it;
- the unique singular assembly (103’) is formed by integration of a plurality of light guide blade into a plurality of optical homogenizer; and
- the light beam illumination apparatus (100) is used as low beam headlamp and daytime running lamp.
20. The light beam illumination apparatus (100) with common illumination surface to provide the same light signature for day and night time as claimed in claim 19, wherein the LED light source for LB and HB (103d) is at the centre of the single light source unit (115).
21. The light beam illumination apparatus (100) with common illumination surface to provide the same light signature for day and night time as claimed in claim 19, wherein the LED light source for LB and HB (103d) is surrounded by the TI and DRL/POS light sources (LEDs) (103c).
22. The light beam illumination apparatus (100) with common illumination surface to provide the same light signature for day and night time as claimed in claim 19, wherein the curvature lens (102) comprises of a plurality of first lens (102a) and a plurality of secondary lens (102b).
23. The light beam illumination apparatus (100) with common illumination surface to provide the same light signature for day and night time as claimed in claim 19, wherein the unique singular assembly (103’) comprises of a plurality of grooves of pre-determined curvature (103a) and a plurality of triangular based grooves (103b) and plurality of prisms.
24. The light beam illumination apparatus (100) with common illumination surface to provide the same light signature for day and night time as claimed in claim 23, wherein the prism provides a de-coupling effect.
25. The light beam illumination apparatus (100) with common illumination surface to provide the same light signature for day and night time as claimed in claim 19, wherein the light beam as generated by the LB/HB LEDs (103d) is collimated firstly by the primary lens 102a and then by the secondary lens 102b and then by the unique singular assembly 103’ and by avoiding any negative influence with de-coupling elements to provide illumination.
26. The light beam illumination apparatus (100) with common illumination surface to provide the same light signature for day and night time as claimed in claim 25, wherein the illumination is high beam and low beam
27. The light beam illumination apparatus (100) with common illumination surface to provide the same light signature for day and night time as claimed in claim 19, wherein the TI/DRL light sources (103c) emit light beam into the coupling elements of the unique singular assembly (103’) and then the light propagates along the light guide blade part of the unique singular assembly (103’) until it hits the de-coupling element.
28. The light beam illumination apparatus (100) with common illumination surface to provide the same light signature for day and night time as claimed in claim 27, wherein the light after it hits the de-coupling element gets de-coupled and then illuminates out.
29. The light beam illumination apparatus (100) with common illumination surface to provide the same light signature for day and night time as claimed in claim 19, wherein the unique singular assembly (103’) includes fine grid that causes homogeneous illumination.
30. A method to provide uniform and homogeneous illumination by a light beam illumination apparatus (100) with common illumination surface comprises:
• switching ‘ON’ a main light source (101a) and an auxiliary light source (101b);
• emission of light rays from a main light source (101a) that falls onto surface of a pre-determined curvature lens (102);
• emission of directed light rays from the pre-determined curvature lens (102) that falls onto grooves of an optical homogenizer (103a);
• passing the directed light rays inside light emitting surface of the optical homogenizer (103);
• ensuring the directed light rays are moving in uni-direction towards prism (104) of light guide blade (105);
• then, emission of light rays from the auxiliary light source (101b) onto surface of light guide blade (105);
• then, emission of light rays to strike onto surface of prism (104) of light guide blade (105) and the light beam is projected from output surface of the light guide blade (105); and
• finally, projecting simultaneous dual light beam.

31. The method to provide uniform and homogeneous illumination by a light beam illumination apparatus (100) with common illumination surface as claimed in claim 30, wherein uni-directional projected light rays striking onto surface of prism lead to decoupling of light rays within the light guide blade (105).
32. The method to provide uniform and homogeneous illumination by a light beam illumination apparatus (100) with common illumination surface as claimed in claim 30, wherein the lighting unit integrated within illumination apparatus (100) projects low beam and high beam.
33. The method to provide uniform and homogeneous illumination by a light beam illumination apparatus (100) with common illumination surface as claimed in claim 30, wherein the signalling unit integrated within illumination apparatus (100) is used for signalling functions including vehicle turn signal lamp and vehicle stop indication lamp.

Dated this 21st day of September,2023.
LUMAX INDUSTRIES LIMITED
By their Agent
ARCHANA SINGH
(IN/PA-1936)
Of Singh and Singh Law Firm LLP
Agent for the Applicant