The present disclosure relates to lighting assembly, and more particularly relates to an integrated lighting assembly for tail-stop and blinker lamps.
BACKGROUND
[0002] With the ever-growing traffic on roads, it is relevant to ensure safe driving conditions. In fact, in the recent past, significant growth and development are witnessed in the field of automotive lighting focusing towards the safety of the drivers. Automotive lights, such as lamps, play a major role in providing visibility to a vehicle on road, particularly, during the night. Various types of lamps are nowadays available in the market for different vehicles. Various types of lamps, such as tail lamps, stop lamps, parking lamps, and blinker lamps, are employed in the vehicle for performing different illuminating functions. Such lamps usually comprise a reflector and a light source to achieve optimal illumination and light distribution.
[0003] Currently, in two-wheeler vehicles, the existing tail-stop lamp and blinker lamps are separately mounted. Due to separate mounting of such lamps, a large mounting space is required in two-wheeler vehicles. Additionally, different sub-components, such as mechanical and electrical components, are required to separately operate the tail-stop and blinker lamps.
[0004] From the above, it may be gathered that there exists a need for a lighting assembly that may be employed in vehicles by consuming an optimum space. Further, there is a need for an integrated lighting assembly which may reduce multiple connections required for tail-stop and blinker lamps.
SUMMARY
[0005] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts, in a simplified format, that are further described in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is neither intended

to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the invention and nor is it intended for determining the scope of the invention.
[0006] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a lighting assembly for a vehicle is disclosed. The lighting assembly comprises a housing. Further, the lighting assembly comprises a first collimator disposed within the housing and comprising a body having a first optical portion and an engaging portion. The first optical portion encompasses the engaging portion. Furthermore, the lighting assembly comprises a second collimator disposed within the housing and adapted to be engaged with the first collimator, the second collimator comprising a second optical portion. The second collimator is adapted to be positioned in the engaging portion and the first optical portion and the second optical portion align with each other. Additionally, the lighting assembly comprises a PCB coupled to the first collimator and the second collimator. The PCB further comprises a plurality of first light sources adapted to glow the first optical portion, and a plurality of second light sources adapted to glow the second optical portion.
[0007] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a vehicle comprising a lighting assembly is disclosed. The lighting assembly comprises a housing. Further, the lighting assembly comprises a first collimator disposed within the housing and comprising a body having a first optical portion and an engaging portion. The first optical portion encompasses the engaging portion. Furthermore, the lighting assembly comprises a second collimator disposed within the housing and adapted to be engaged with the first collimator, the second collimator comprising a second optical portion. The second collimator is adapted to be positioned in the engaging portion and the first optical portion and the second optical portion align with each other. Additionally, the lighting assembly comprises a PCB coupled to the first collimator and the second collimator. The PCB further comprises a plurality of first light sources adapted to glow the first optical portion, and a plurality of second light sources adapted to glow the second optical portion.
[0008] 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
[0009] 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:
[0010] Figures 1A illustrates an exploded view of a lighting assembly for a vehicle, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0011] Figure IB illustrates a cross section view of the lighting assembly, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0012] Figures 2A-2B illustrate a planar view of a light emitting diode (LED) Printed Circuit Board (PCB) and a driver PCB respectively, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0013] Figure 3 illustrates a planar view of the LED PCB for tail-stop and blinker functions, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0014] Figure 4 illustrates a sequential process of assembling the lighting assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0015] 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
[0016] 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.
[0017] The term "some" as used herein is defined as "none, or one, or more than one, or all." Accordingly, the terms "none," "one," "more than one," "more than one, but not all" or "all" would all fall under the definition of "some." The term "some embodiments" may refer to no embodiments or to one embodiment or to several embodiments or to all embodiments. Accordingly, the term "some embodiments" is defined as meaning "no embodiment, or one embodiment, or more than one embodiment, or all embodiments."

[0018] The terminology and structure employed herein is for describing, teaching and illuminating some embodiments and their specific features and elements and does not limit, restrict or reduce the spirit and scope of the claims or their equivalents.
[0019] More specifically, any terms used herein such as but not limited to "includes," "comprises," "has," "consists," and grammatical variants thereof do NOT specify an exact limitation or restriction and certainly do NOT exclude the possible addition of one or more features or elements, unless otherwise stated, and furthermore must NOT be taken to exclude the possible removal of one or more of the listed features and elements, unless otherwise stated with the limiting language "MUST comprise" or "NEEDS TO include."
[0020] Whether or not a certain feature or element was limited to being used only once, either way it may still be referred to as "one or more features" or "one or more elements" or "at least one feature" or "at least one element." Furthermore, the use of the terms "one or more" or "at least one" feature or element do NOT preclude there being none of that feature or element, unless otherwise specified by limiting language such as "there NEEDS to be one or more ..." or "one or more element is REQUIRED."
[0021] Unless otherwise defined, all terms, and especially any technical and/or scientific terms, used herein may be taken to have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having an ordinary skill in the art.
[0022] Reference is made herein to some "embodiments." It should be understood that an embodiment is an example of a possible implementation of any features and/or elements presented in the attached claims. Some embodiments have been described for the purpose of illuminating one or more of the potential ways in which the specific features and/or elements of the attached claims fulfil the requirements of uniqueness, utility and non-obviousness.

[0023] Use of the phrases and/or terms such as but not limited to "a first embodiment," "a further embodiment," "an alternate embodiment," "one embodiment," "an embodiment," "multiple embodiments," "some embodiments," "other embodiments," "further embodiment", "furthermore embodiment", "additional embodiment" or variants thereof do NOT necessarily refer to the same embodiments. Unless otherwise specified, one or more particular features and/or elements described in connection with one or more embodiments may be found in one embodiment, or may be found in more than one embodiment, or may be found in all embodiments, or may be found in no embodiments. Although one or more features and/or elements may be described herein in the context of only a single embodiment, or alternatively in the context of more than one embodiment, or further alternatively in the context of all embodiments, the features and/or elements may instead be provided separately or in any appropriate combination or not at all. Conversely, any features and/or elements described in the context of separate embodiments may alternatively be realized as existing together in the context of a single embodiment.
[0024] Any particular and all details set forth herein are used in the context of some embodiments and therefore should NOT be necessarily taken as limiting factors to the attached claims. The attached claims and their legal equivalents can be realized in the context of embodiments other than the ones used as illustrative examples in the description below.
[0025] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0026] Figure 1A illustrates an exploded view of a lighting assembly 100 for a vehicle, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0027] In an embodiment, a lighting assembly 100 may interchangeably be referred to as the lighting device 100, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The lighting assembly 100 may be deployed in a vehicle to perform various illuminating functions including, but not limited to, illuminating road ahead of the vehicle, indicating turn signal, indicating parking

signal, and indicating a stop signal. In one specific exemplary embodiment, the lighting assembly 100 may be deployed in a vehicle to indicating a blinking parking/turn signal and a stop signal using two different illuminating optical portions of the assembly respectively. The vehicle may be embodied as one of a two-wheeler vehicle, a three-wheeler vehicle, and a four-wheeler vehicle. In an embodiment, the lighting assembly 100 may be embodied as one of a tail light, a front light, a blinker light, and a stop light, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In another embodiment, a plurality of lighting sources may be combined to form the lighting assembly 100 to perform one of the illuminating functions in the vehicle.
[0028] In an embodiment, the lighting assembly 100 may be configured to provide a compact dual function of tail-stop and blinker together and may be embodied as a taillight. As an example, the lighting assembly 100 may be deployed in two-wheeler vehicles, where it is challenging to provide a compact design of such dual functions in terms of size, thermal, electronics, aesthetic and cost. The lighting assembly 100 may be configured to provide same uniform lit appearance in two different lights by using collimator lenses and alternate arrangement of LEDs in different colors in a single lamp with integrated electronics (e.g., PCB). In an exemplary embodiment, the lighting assembly 100 may provide red LED and amber LED lighting in a single lamp.
[0029] Referring to Figure 1A, in the illustrated embodiment, the lighting assembly 100 may comprise a housing 102, a PCB 104, a mask 106, a first collimator 108, a second collimator 110, and an outer lens 112. The housing 102 may be adapted to accommodate the PCB 104, mask 106, the first collimator 108, and the second collimator 110. The housing 102 may be a load carrying member made of a thermoplastic polymer, such as Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) material, to support and hold PCB 104, mask 106, first collimator 108, second collimator 110, and outer lens 112. The housing 102 and the outer lens 112 may together form an exterior surface of the lighting assembly 100. In one embodiment, the housing 102 and the outer lens 112 may be formed as an integral part. In another embodiment, the housing 102 and the outer lens 112 may be formed as a casing and coupled together to support the aforesaid lighting sources, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0030] In an embodiment, the lighting assembly 100 may include a first collimator 108 to be disposed within the housing 102. The first collimator 108 may comprise a body having a first optical portion 116 and an engaging portion 118. The first optical portion 116 may encompass the engaging portion 118. Further, the first optical portion 116 may include a plurality of first lenses and/or mirror to collimate the incident beam of light received from a plurality of first LED lighting sources on the PCB 104. In one embodiment, the plurality of first lenses may be red in color. The engaging portion 118 may include a mechanical structure to engage the second collimator 110. The first collimator 108 may be used for implementing tail-stop function of the vehicle, i.e., for illuminating when brakes are applied by the user driving the vehicle.
[0031] In an embodiment, the second collimator 110 may be disposed within the housing 102. The second collimator 110 may include at least a second optical portion 120 which may include a plurality of second lenses and/or mirror to collimate the incident beam of light received from a plurality of second LED lighting sources on the PCB 104. In an embodiment, the plurality of second lenses may be yellow in color. Further, the second collimator 110 may be adapted to be engaged with the first collimator 108 via the engaging portion 118 of the first collimator 108. Specifically, the second collimator 110 may be adapted to be positioned within the engaging portion 118 of the first collimator 108. Further, once the second collimator 110 is placed within the first collimator 108, the first optical portion 116 of the first collimator 108 and the second optical portion 120 of the second collimator 110 may align with each other. More specifically, the outer surfaces of the first optical portion 116 and the second optical portion 120 align with each other to provide an integrated smooth appearance. In an exemplary embodiment, the second collimator 110 may be used for one or more of a blinker, parking light, and turn indicator function.
[0032] Each of the first collimator 108 and the second collimator 110 may be used to cause the directions of motion of light to become more aligned in a specific direction (i.e., make collimated light or parallel rays), or to cause the spatial cross section of the beam to become smaller (beam limiting device). The use of the first collimator 108 and the second collimator 110 provides better illumination function over the reflectors along with secondary operation like metalizing. Further, the first collimator 108 and the second collimator 110 may be used to collect the light from light sources (e.g., LEDs on LED PCB 104) and transfer the light to illuminated surface. Due to

collimator lens technology with small optics on surface, a uniform lit appearance may be obtained even when one LED is placed as a lighting source. Because of collimator lens uniform lit appearance, the first collimator 108 and the second collimator 110 may be used with limited LED light sources for tail-stop and blinker functions respectively.
[0033] In an embodiment, the lighting assembly 100 comprises a PCB 104. The PCB 104 may include an LED PCB (shown in Fig. 1) and a driver PCB (not shown in Fig. 1). In an exemplary embodiment, the driver PCB may be formed on one side while the LED PCB may be formed on a second side of the PCB 104. The LED PCB and the driver PCB are described in detail in conjunction with Fig. 3 later. The PCB 104 may include a plurality of first light sources adapted to glow the first optical portion 116 of the first collimator 108. Further, the PCB 104 may include a plurality of second light sources adapted to glow the second optical portion 120 of the second collimator 110. Each of the plurality of first and second light sources may include multiple LED lights to glow the corresponding optical portions of respective collimators 108 and 110.
[0034] In an embodiment, the mask 106 may be adapted to separate tail-stop and blinker functions of the collimators, when positioned together for illumination. The mask 106 may be positioned between the PCB 104 and the first collimator 108. Further, the mask 106 may include a protruded portion 107 to be positioned in the engaging portion 118 of the first collimator 108. The protruded portion 107 may be adapted to be disposed between the first optical portion 116 and the second optical portion 120 of the two respective collimators 108 and 110. The protruded portion 107 may be adapted to block light from the first collimator 108 towards the second collimator 110, and to block light from the second collimator 110 towards the first collimator 108. Thus, in one exemplary embodiment, the mask 106 may be configured to separate the lights of tail-stop function (e.g., red color light) and blinker function (amber color light).
[0035] In an embodiment, the outer lens 112 may be adapted to cover the lighting assembly 100 from its top and front sides. Further, the outer lens 112 may be adapted to disperse the light from at least one of the first collimator 108 and the second collimator 110 towards a front of the lighting

assembly 100. In an exemplary embodiment, the outer lens 112 may be a clear and transparent polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) based lens to view the collimator light.
[0036] Figure IB illustrates a cross section view of the lighting assembly 100, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. As depicted, the cross-sectional view shows the housing 102 and the outer lens 112 covering the lighting assembly 100 from its outer side. Further, the first collimator 108 and the second collimator 110 are engaged with each other, along with the PCB 104 and mask 106 fitted as an integrated unit of the assembly 100. Further, one or more LEDs 114 of the PCB 104 are adapted to function as a light source for illuminating function of the lighting assembly 100.
[0037] Figures 2A-2B illustrate a planar view of an LED PCB 200a and a driver PCB 200b respectively, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. The driver PCB 200b may be disposed on one side, while the LED PCB 200a may be disposed on a second side of the PCB (such as PCB 104) of the lighting assembly 100. With reference to Fig. 2A, the LED PCB 200a comprises a plurality of LED lighting sources. As depicted, the area 202, excluding the LEDs in the area 204, of the LED PCB 200a may include a plurality of first light sources 208a-208n (e.g., LEDs) at the outer periphery of the LED PCB 200a, which are adapted to light the second collimator (such as collimator 110). Similarly, the plurality of second light sources (e.g., LEDs) 206a-206n within the area 204 may be adapted to light the second collimator (such as collimator 108).
[0038] With reference to Figure 2B, the driver PCB 200b may include a plurality of electronic components, such as a processor/controller to control the LEDs of the LED PCB. In an embodiment, the driver PCB 200b may be adapted to switch on the plurality of first light sources 208a-208n (e.g., LEDs in area 202 excluding the LEDs in area 204), when a user applies a brake on the vehicle with a first predefined force. The driving PCB 200b may be configured to receive an input signal when a brake is applied on the vehicle. For the sake of brevity, the mechanism of receiving the input signal and processing such signal is not discussed here in detail, as such mechanism is implemented as per conventionally known methodologies.

[0039] Further, in an embodiment, the driver PCB 202b is adapted to switch on the plurality of second light sources 206a-206n (e.g., LEDs in area 204), when the user switches on a mechanical switch to take either one of a left turn and a right turn on the vehicle. In another embodiment, the driver PCB 202b is adapted to switch on both the plurality of first light sources 208a-208n and the plurality of second light sources 206a-206n when the user applies the brake on the vehicle with a second predefined force, wherein the first predefined force is lesser than the second predefined force.
[0040] Figure 3 illustrates a planar view of a LED PCB for tail-stop and blinker functions, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As depicted, the plurality of first light sources 208a-208n, within the area 202 and excluding the LEDs in area 204, may include a plurality of LEDs, such as red LEDs for tail-stop function of the vehicle. Further, the plurality of second light sources 206a-206n within the area 204 may include a plurality of LEDs, such as yellow LEDs for blinker function of the vehicle.
[0041] Figure 4 illustrates a sequential process of assembling the lighting assembly 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As depicted, in an embodiment, at step 1 of the sequential process of creating a lighting assembly, a housing (e.g., housing 102) may be taken. At step 2 of the process, the PCB (e.g., PCB 104) may be deployed within the housing 102. At step 3 of the process, one or more screws may be used to tighten/engage the PCB 104 within the housing 102. At step 4 of the process, the mask (e.g., mask 106) may be engaged with the assembly of step 3 with the help of one or more additional screws. At step 5 of the process, the first collimator (e.g., first collimator 108) may be engaged with the assembly completed at step 4. At step 6 of the process, the second collimator (e.g., second collimator 110) may be engaged within the engaging portion 118 of the first collimator 108. At step 7 of the process, the lighting assembly 100 may be completed by coupling the outer lens (such as outer lens 112). The lighting assembly 100 may be deployed within a taillight of the vehicle, such as a two-wheeler vehicle. In another embodiment, the lighting assembly 100 may be mounted at one of a rear end and a front end of the vehicle. Further, the lighting assembly may be used for different illuminating functions of the

vehicle and may comply with homologations (AIS/ECE/FMVSS/ASSABE) associated with different jurisdictions.
[0042] As would be gathered, the lighting assembly 100 of the present disclosure can be employed for achieving different illuminating functions. Further, the lighting assembly complies with homologation requirements of different countries. In particular, without altering constructional aspects of the lighting assembly 100, the lighting assembly 100 can comply with the homologation requirement of different countries. Further, the lighting assembly 100 includes collimators 108 and 110 provided with the plurality of light sources on PCB 104, such as LEDs, adapted to project light beams. Implementation of LEDs as the light source and within such an integrated light assembly substantially reduces the overall size for executing blinker and tail-stop lighting functions in a vehicle. Further, due to integration of the two lights, the light assembly 100 may be compact and cost effective. Further, the light assembly 100 would require minimum electrical connections due to dual function implementation in an integrated structure on a single PCB, thereby saving substantial cost and reducing overall complexity.
[0043] 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.

Claim:

1. A lighting assembly (100) for a vehicle, comprising:
a housing (102);
a first collimator (108) disposed within the housing (102) and comprising a body having a first optical portion (116) and an engaging portion (118), wherein the first optical portion (116) encompasses the engaging portion (118);
a second collimator (110) disposed within the housing (102) and adapted to be engaged with the first collimator (108), the second collimator (110) comprising a second optical portion (120), wherein the second collimator is adapted to be positioned in the engaging portion (118), and wherein the first optical portion (116) and the second optical portion (120) align with each other; and
a Light Emitting Diode (LED) PCB (200a) coupled to the first collimator (108) and the second collimator (110), and comprising a plurality of first light sources (208a-208n) adapted to glow the first optical portion (116), and a plurality of second light sources (206a-206n) adapted to glow the second optical portion (120).
2. The lighting assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first optical portion (116) includes a plurality of first lenses, and the plurality of first lenses are red in color.
3. The lighting assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second optical portion (120) includes a plurality of second lenses, and the plurality of second lenses are yellow in color.
4. The lighting assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a driver PCB (200b) adapted to switch on the plurality of first light sources (208a-208n) when a user applies a brake on the vehicle with a first predefined force.
5. The lighting assembly (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the driver PCB (200b) is adapted to switch on the plurality of second light sources (206a-206n) when the user switches a mechanical button to take either one of a left turn and a right turn on the vehicle.

The lighting assembly (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the driver PCB (200b) is adapted to switch on both the plurality of first light sources (208a-208n) and the plurality of second light sources (206a-206n) when the user applies the brake on the vehicle with a second predefined force, wherein the first predefined force is lesser than the second predefined force.
The lighting assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a mask (106) disposed between the first collimator (108) and the LED PCB (200a), wherein the mask (106) comprises a protruded portion (107) which is disposed between the first collimator (108) and the second collimator (110), and wherein the protruded portion (107) is adapted to block light from the first collimator (108) towards the second collimator (110) and light from the second collimator (110) towards the first collimator (108).
The lighting assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising an outer lens (112) adapted to cover the lighting assembly (100) from a top of the lighting assembly (100), and to disperse the light from at least one of the first collimator (108) and the second collimator (110) towards a front of the lighting assembly.
A two-wheeler vehicle comprising:
a lighting assembly (100), including:
a housing (102);
a first collimator (108) disposed within the housing (102) and comprising a body having a first optical portion (116) and an engaging portion (118), wherein the first optical portion (116) encompasses the engaging portion (118);
a second collimator (110) disposed within the housing (102) and adapted to be engaged with the first collimator (108), the second collimator (110) comprising a second optical portion (120), wherein the second collimator (110) is adapted to be positioned in the engaging portion (118), and wherein the first optical portion (116) and the second optical portion (120) align with each other; and

a Light Emitting Diode (LED) PCB (200a) coupled to the first collimator (108) and the second collimator (110), and comprising a plurality of first light sources (208a-208n) adapted to glow the first optical portion (116), and a plurality of second light sources (206a-206n) adapted to glow the second optical portion (120).