Claims:1. A blinker assembly with Daytime Running Light (DRL) for a vehicle, the blinker assembly comprising:
a housing member;
a first Printed Circuit Board (PCB) assembly adapted to be disposed within the housing member, wherein the first PCB assembly comprises:
a first set of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) adapted to emit light with a first light spectrum; and
a second set of LEDs adapted to emit light with a second light spectrum, wherein each of the second set of LEDs is arranged successively with respect to each of the first set of LEDs; and
a second PCB assembly disposed beneath the first PCB assembly within the housing member and comprises at least one circuitry unit, wherein the at least one circuitry unit is configured to:
illuminate at least one of the first set of LEDs to operate a blinker mode of the blinker assembly and the second set of LEDs to operate a DRL mode of the blinker assembly.

2. The blinker assembly as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:
a lens adapted to be coupled to the housing member; and
a collimator lens disposed between the lens and the first PCB assembly, wherein the collimator lens is adapted to distribute the light emitted by the first set of LEDs and the second set of LEDs.

3. The blinker assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the collimator lens comprises:
a top portion positioned towards the lens; and
a bottom portion positioned towards the first PCB assembly, wherein the bottom portion includes a plurality of recesses defined by a plurality of lens surfaces, each of the plurality of recesses is aligned above one of: each of the first set of LEDs and each of the second set of LEDs.

4. The blinker assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first set of LEDs and the second set of LEDs are arranged sequentially along a circular direction on the first PCB assembly.

5. The blinker assembly as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a LED disposed at a centre of the first PCB assembly, wherein the LED is surrounded by the first set of LEDs and the second set of LEDs arranged sequentially along a circular direction on the first PCB assembly.

6. The blinker assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the first set of LEDs and each of the second set of LEDs are an amber LED and a white LED, respectively.

7. The blinker assembly as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a heat sink disposed between the first PCB assembly and the second PCB assembly, wherein the heat sink is adapted to conduct heat from the first set of LEDs and the second set of LEDs.

8. The blinker assembly with Daytime Running Light (DRL) for a vehicle, the blinker assembly comprising:
a housing member;
a first Printed Circuit Board (PCB) assembly adapted to be disposed within the housing member, wherein the first PCB assembly comprises:
a first set of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) adapted to emit light with a first light spectrum; and
a second set of LEDs adapted to emit light with a second light spectrum, wherein each of the second set of LEDs is arranged successively with respect to each of the first set of LEDs;
a second PCB assembly disposed beneath the first PCB assembly within the housing member and comprises at least one circuitry unit wherein the at least one circuitry unit is configured to illuminate at least one of the first set of LEDs to operate a blinker function of the blinker assembly and the second set of LEDs to operate a DRL function of the blinker assembly;
a lens adapted to be coupled to the housing member; and
a collimator lens disposed between the lens and the first PCB assembly, the collimator lens adapted to distribute the light emitted by the first set of LEDs and the second set of LEDs, wherein the collimator lens comprises:
a top portion positioned towards the lens; and
a bottom portion positioned towards the first PCB assembly, wherein the bottom portion includes a plurality of recesses defined by a plurality of lens surfaces, each of the plurality of recesses is aligned above one of each of the first set of LEDs and each of the second set of LEDs.

9. The blinker assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein the first set of LEDs and the second set of LEDs are arranged sequentially along a circular direction on the first PCB assembly.

10. The blinker assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein each of the first set of LEDs and each of the second set of LEDs are an amber LED and a white LED, respectively.
, Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to automotive lighting and in particular, relates to a blinker assembly with daytime running light for a vehicle.

BACKGROUND

With the ever-growing traffic on roads, it is relevant to ensure safe driving conditions. In fact, in the recent past, a significant growth and development is witnessed in the automotive industry focusing towards safety of the drivers. Daylight Running Lamps (DRLs) and blinker assemblies, of course, play a major role in ensuring safe driving of a vehicle. A blinker assembly would generally include a light source to indicate turning of the vehicle to drivers of other vehicles. Further, employing DRLs in the vehicle assist drivers of other vehicles or pedestrians to spot the vehicle on the road.

Currently, the DRLs and blinker assemblies are separately mounted on a vehicle, such as two-wheeler vehicle. This leads to an increase in overall weight of the vehicle and also increase overall complexity associated with a lighting system of the vehicle. Further, each of the DRLs and blinker assemblies require separate electrical connections on the vehicle which leads to substantially high power consumption from a power source. Also, such arrangement of DRLs and blinker assemblies consume substantially higher space on the vehicle which is not desirable particularly for two-wheeler vehicles. Further, it is a cumbersome task for the user to separately control operation of the DRLs and the blinker assemblies.

SUMMARY

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a blinker assembly with Daytime Running Light (DRL) for a vehicle is disclosed. The blinker assembly includes a housing member and a first Printed Circuit Board (PCB) assembly adapted to be disposed within the housing member. The first PCB assembly comprises a first set of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) adapted to emit light with a first light spectrum. Further, the first PCB assembly comprises a second set of LEDs adapted to emit light with a second light spectrum. Each of the second set of LEDs is arranged successively with respect to each of the first set of LEDs. The blinker assembly includes a second PCB assembly disposed beneath the first PCB assembly within the housing member and comprises at least one circuitry unit. The at least one circuitry unit is configured to illuminate at least one of the first set of LEDs to operate a blinker mode of the blinker assembly and the second set of LEDs to operate a DRL mode of the blinker assembly.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the blinker assembly with Daytime Running Light (DRL) for a vehicle is disclosed. The blinker assembly includes a housing member and a first Printed Circuit Board (PCB) assembly adapted to be disposed within the housing member. The first PCB assembly comprises a first set of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) adapted to emit light with a first light spectrum. Further, the first PCB assembly comprises a second set of LEDs adapted to emit light with a second light spectrum. Each of the second set of LEDs is arranged successively with respect to each of the first set of LEDs. The blinker assembly includes a second PCB assembly disposed beneath the first PCB assembly within the housing member and comprises at least one circuitry unit. The at least one circuitry unit is configured to illuminate at least one of the first set of LEDs to operate a blinker function of the blinker assembly and the second set of LEDs to operate a DRL function of the blinker assembly. The blinker assembly includes a lens adapted to be coupled to the housing member. Further, the blinker assembly includes a collimator lens disposed between the lens and the first PCB assembly. The collimator lens is adapted to distribute the light emitted by the first set of LEDs and the second set of LEDs. The collimator lens comprises a top portion positioned towards the lens and a bottom portion positioned towards the first PCB assembly. The bottom portion includes a plurality of recesses defined by a plurality of lens surfaces. Each of the plurality of recesses is aligned above one of each of the first set of LEDs and each of the second set of LEDs

To further clarify advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a blinker assembly with Daytime Running Light (DRL) for a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view of the blinker assembly with the DRL for the vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 3 illustrates a partial sectional view of the blinker assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 4 illustrates a front view of a first Printed Circuit Board (PCB) of the blinker assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 5a illustrates a front view of a collimator lens of the blinker assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 5b illustrates a sectional view of the collimator lens of the blinker assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 5c illustrates a side view of the collimator lens of the blinker assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 6 illustrates a block diagram of a circuitry unit of the blinker assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

Figure 7 illustrates a flow diagram depicting steps involved in assembling the blinker assembly with DRL for the vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have been necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the flow charts illustrate the method in terms of the most prominent steps involved to help to improve understanding of aspects of the present invention. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skilled in the art to which this invention belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a blinker assembly 100 with Daytime Running Light (DRL) for a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the blinker assembly 100 may be mounted on a two-wheeler vehicle. In another embodiment, the blinker assembly 100 may be mounted on a four-wheeler vehicle. In other embodiments, the compact blinker assembly 100 may be mounted on any vehicle or any other equipment having blinker application, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

In an embodiment, the blinker assembly 100 may be mounted at one of a front end and a rear end of the two-wheeler vehicle. The blinker assembly 100 may be adapted to be operated in a blinker mode of the blinker assembly 100 and a DRL mode of the blinker assembly 100. In the blinker mode, the blinker assembly 100 may be operated as a turn signal for indicating a direction in which the two-wheeler may turn or change lane. In the DRL mode, the blinker assembly 100 may be operated as a Daytime Running Lamp for assisting road users to locate a presence of the two-wheeler.

Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view of the blinker assembly 100 with the DRL for the vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Figure 1 and Figure 2, the blinker assembly 100 includes a housing member 202 and a lens 204 adapted to be coupled to the housing member 202. The lens 204 may be coupled to the housing member 202 for encapsulating various sub-components of the blinker assembly 100.

Figure 3 illustrates a partial sectional view of the blinker assembly 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Figure 2 and Figure 3, the blinker assembly 100 may include a collimator lens 206, a mask 208 coupled to the collimator lens 206, a first Printed Circuit Board (PCB) assembly 210 disposed below the collimator lens 206, a heat sink 212 disposed below the first PCB assembly 210, and a second PCB assembly 214 disposed below the heat sink 212.

Figure 4 illustrates a front view of the first PCB 210 of the blinker assembly 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Figure 2, Figure 3, and Figure 4, the first PCB assembly 210 may be disposed within the housing member 202. The first PCB assembly 210 may include a first set of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) 402 adapted to emit light with a first light spectrum. Each of the first set of LEDs 402 may be embodied as an amber LED, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The first light spectrum may be associated with amber light emitted by each of the first set of LEDs 402.

Further, the first PCB assembly 210 may include a second set of LEDs 404 adapted to emit light with a second light spectrum. Each of the second set of LEDs 404 may be embodied as a white LED, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The second light spectrum may be associated with white light emitted by each of the second set of LEDs 404. Each of the second set of LEDs 404 may be arranged successively with respect to each of the first set of LEDs 402.

In an embodiment, the first set of LEDs 402 and the second set of LEDs 404 may be arranged sequentially along a circular direction on the first PCB assembly 210. In another embodiment, the first set of LEDs 402 and the second set of LEDs 404 may be arranged sequentially such that a closed loop may be formed on the first PCB assembly 210. The closed loop may be in a form of, but is not limited to, rectangular, triangular, square, and polygon, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Further, the blinker assembly 100 may include a LED 406 disposed at a centre of the first PCB assembly 210. The LED 406 may interchangeably be referred to as the central LED 406, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The central LED 406 may be surrounded by the first set of LEDs 402 and the second set of LEDs 404 arranged sequentially along the circular direction on the first PCB assembly 210. The central LED 406 may be adapted to emit light with the second light spectrum. In an embodiment, the central LED 406 may be embodied as the white LED, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first set of LEDs 402 may include 5 LEDs, such as amber LED 402-1, amber LED 402-2, amber LED 402-3, amber LED 402-4, and amber LED 402-5. Further, the second set of LEDs 404 may include 5 LEDs, such as white LED 404-1, white LED 404-2, white LED 404-3, white LED 404-4, and white LED 404-5. As mentioned earlier, the first set of LEDs 402 and the second set of LEDs 404 may be arranged sequentially along the circular direction on the first PCB assembly 210.

In particular, the white LED 404-1 may be positioned between the amber LED 402-1 and the amber LED 402-2. The white LED 404-2 may be positioned between the amber LED 402-2 and the amber LED 402-3. Further, the white LED 404-3 may be positioned between the amber LED 402-3 and the amber LED 402-4. The white LED 404-4 may be positioned between the amber LED 402-4 and the amber LED 402-5. Further, the white LED 404-5 may be positioned between the amber LED 402-5 and the amber LED 402-1. In an embodiment, the central LED 406, the white LED 404-1, the white LED 404-2, the white LED 404-3, the white LED 404-4, and the white LED 404-5 may collectively be referred to as the second set of LEDs 404, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Figure 5a illustrates a front view of the collimator lens 206 of the blinker assembly 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 5b illustrates a sectional view of the collimator lens 206 of the blinker assembly 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 5c illustrates a side view of the collimator lens 206 of the blinker assembly 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to Figure 2, Figure 3, Figure 5a, Figure 5b, and Figure 5c, the collimator lens 206 may be disposed between the lens 204 and the first PCB assembly 210. The collimator lens 206 may be adapted to distribute the light emitted by the first set of LEDs 402, the second set of LEDs 404, and the central LED 406. In the illustrated embodiment, the collimator lens 206 may include a top portion 502 and a bottom portion 504 distal to the top portion 502. The collimator lens 206 may be disposed within the housing member 202 such that the top portion 502 may be positioned towards the lens 204 of the blinker assembly 100. Further, the bottom portion 504 may be positioned towards the first PCB assembly 210.

The top portion 502 may include a circular ring portion 506 and a central portion 508 formed at a centre of the circular ring portion 506. The top portion 502 may include Pillow-Type Optics region, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, the Pillow-type Optics region may be formed on the circular ring portion 506 of the top portion. Further, the mask 208 of the blinker assembly 100 may be positioned around the central portion 508 of the collimator lens 206.

The bottom portion 504 may include a plurality of lens surfaces 510 and a plurality of recesses 512. In an embodiment, the plurality of recesses 512 may be defined by the plurality of lens surfaces 510. The plurality of recesses 512 may be arranged in the circular direction corresponding to arrangement of the first set of LEDs 402 and the second set of LEDs 404 on the first PCB assembly 210. In particular, the plurality of recess 512 may include a set of recesses 512-1 and a central recess 512-2 surrounded by the set of recesses 512-1. The set of recesses 512-1 may be arranged in the circular direction corresponding to arrangement of the first set of LEDs 402 and the second set of LEDs 404. Each of the plurality of recesses 512 may be aligned above one of: each of the first set of LEDs 402 and each of the second set of LEDs 404.

A number of the recesses 512 formed at the bottom portion 504 may be equal to a total number of LEDs, i.e., the first set of LEDs 402 and the second set of LEDs 404, disposed on the first PCB assembly 210. In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom portion 504 of the collimator lens 206 may include 10 recesses corresponding to 10 LEDs, such as 5 white LEDs and 5 amber LEDs. Further, as explained earlier, the bottom portion 504 of the collimator lens 206 may also include the central recess 512-2 corresponding to the central LED 512-2.

In an embodiment, the collimator lens 206 may be positioned above the first PCB assembly 210 such that light emitting from each of the LEDs 402, 404 may enter in the collimator lens 206 through each of the recesses 512. Subsequently, the light entered in the collimator lens 206 from the LEDs, such as the first set of LEDs 402-1, 402-2, 402-3, 402-4, 404-5 and the second set of LEDs 404-1, 404-2, 404-3, 404-4, 404-5, may be projected on the lens 204 through the circular ring portion 506 of the collimator lens 206.

Further, light emitting from the central LED 406 may enter in the collimator lens 206 through the central recess 512-2. Subsequently, the light entered in the collimator lens 206 from the central LED 406 may be projected on the lens 204 through the central portion 508 of the collimator lens 206. The mask 208 may be positioned around the central portion 508 to achieve aesthetic appeal by separating light projected from the central portion 508 of the collimator lens 206 and the circular ring portion 506 of the collimator lens 206.

As explained earlier, the blinker assembly 100 may include the heat sink 212 disposed between the first PCB assembly 210 and the second PCB assembly 214. The heat sink 212 may be adapted to conduct heat from the first set of LEDs 402 and the second set of LEDs 404. In an embodiment, the heat sink 212 may be adapted to be coupled to the first PCB assembly 210 of the blinker assembly 100. The heat 212 may be removably coupled to the first PCB assembly 210 through a plurality of fasteners 215, such as screws 215.

Further, the blinker assembly 100 may include the second PCB assembly 214 disposed beneath the first PCB assembly 210 within the housing member 202. The second PCB assembly 214 may be in communication with the first PCB assembly 210. In an embodiment, the second PCB assembly 214 may include at least one circuitry unit 216 adapted to control the operation of the first set of LEDs 402 and the second set of LEDs 404 disposed on the first PCB assembly 210.

Figure 6 illustrates a block diagram of the at least one circuitry unit 216 of the blinker assembly 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Figure 2, Figure 3, and Figure 6, in an embodiment, the at least one circuitry unit 216 may be embodied as a constant current driving system, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The at least one circuitry unit 216 may be configured to illuminate at least one of the first set of LEDs 402 and the second set of LEDs 404. In particular, the at least one circuitry unit 216 may be configured to illuminate at least one of the first set of LEDs 402 to operate the blinker mode of the blinker assembly 100 and the second set of LEDs 404 to operate the DRL mode of the blinker assembly 100.

In an embodiment, the at least one circuitry unit 216 may be in communication with a blinker switch (not shown) mounted on the vehicle. The blinker switch may be adapted to be operated by a user for operating the blinker assembly 100 in the blinker mode. For instance, when the user switch-ON the blinker switch, the at least one circuitry 216 may switch-OFF the second set of LEDs 404, i.e., white LEDs, and illuminate the first set of LEDs 402, i.e., amber LEDs to operate the blinker assembly 100 in the blinker mode. Subsequently, when the user switch-OFF the blinker switch, the at least one circuitry unit 216 may illuminate the second set of LEDs 404, i.e., white LEDs, and switch-OFF the first set of LEDs 402, i.e., amber LEDs. Constructional and operational details of the at least one circuitry unit 216 are explained in detail in the subsequent sections of the present disclosure.

Figure 7 illustrates a flow diagram depicting steps involved in assembling the blinker assembly 100 with DRL for the vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For the sake of brevity, details of the present disclosure that are explained in detail in the description of Figure 1, Figure 2, Figure 3, Figure 4, Figures 5a, Figure 5b, and Figure 5c are not explained in detail in the description of Figure 7.

At step 702, the second PCB assembly 214 may be inserted within the housing member 202. At step 704, the first PCB assembly 210 may be coupled to the heat sink 212 to form a sub-assembly. Further, at step 706, the sub-assembly may be positioned above the second PCB assembly 214 within the housing member 202. At step 708, the sub-assembly may be coupled to the housing member 202 by using fasteners, such as the screws 215. At step 710, the sub-assembly may be inserted within the housing member 202 and positioned above the sub-assembly. At step 712, the mask 208 may be positioned around the central portion 508 of the collimator lens 206. Further, at step 714, the lens 204 may be coupled to the housing member 202 to order to form the blinker assembly 100.

As explained earlier, the blinker assembly 100 can be operated in the blinker mode and the DRL mode. The blinker assembly 100 includes the first PCB assembly 210 adapted to support the first set of LEDs 402 to be illuminated in the blinker mode and the second set of LEDs 404 to be illuminated in the DRL mode. Owing to such arrangement of LEDs on the first PCB assembly 210 for both modes, i.e., the blinker mode and the DRL mode, overall size of the blinker assembly 100 may be substantially reduced. Further, the at least one circuitry unit 216 is used for selectively operating the first set of LEDs 402 and the second set of LEDs 404. The blinker assembly 100 may be connected to a power source, such as 12V battery, of the vehicle, without needing any additional power requirement, for operating the blinker assembly 100 in different modes. This results in low power consumption during operation of the blinker assembly 100 in both modes, i.e., the blinker mode and the DRL mode.

The blinker assembly 100 includes the collimator lens 206 disposed above the first set of LEDs 402 and the second set of LEDs 404. The collimator lens 206 includes the top portion 502 having the Pillow-Type Optic region. Such constructional aspects of the collimator lens 206 ensure that the light projected on the lens 204 from each of the LEDs 402, 404 is uniform, even if the first set of LEDs 402 and the second set of LEDs 404 are arranged successively with respect to each other. Owing to uniform illumination through the collimator lens 206, single-chip LEDs, such as the white LEDs and the amber LEDs, can be employed in the blinker assembly 100 instead of employing dual-chip LEDs. Therefore, the overall cost of the blinker assembly 100 is substantially reduced.

Further, implementation of the blinker assembly 100 for both modes in the vehicle substantially eliminates requirement of a separate DRL lamp. In particular, as explained earlier, the blinker assembly 100 may be operated as the turn indicator in the blinker mode and the DRL lamp in the DRL mode. This eliminates requirement of mounting the separate DRL lamp on the vehicle which further saves substantial space on the vehicle. Further, owing to a compact structure and enhanced aesthetics appeal of the blinker assembly 100, it is feasible to be employed in different two-wheeler vehicles without incorporating any substantial changes to the construction of such vehicles. The blinker assembly 100 can be switched between the blinker mode and the DRL mode by operating a single switch, i.e., the blinker switch. For instance, when the user switch-OFF the blinker switch, the blinker assembly 100 may be automatically switched to the DRL mode from the blinker mode. This substantially enhances the user experience while operating the blinker assembly 100. Therefore, the present disclosure offers the blinker assembly 100 with DRL that is efficient, economical, compact, flexible, and effective for the vehicle.

While specific language has been used to describe the present subject matter, any limitations arising on account thereto, are not intended. As would be apparent to a person in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein. The drawings and the foregoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment.