Description:THERMAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR AUTOMOTIVE LIGHTING APPLICATIONS
FIELD OF INVENTION:
[001] The present subject matter described herein, relates to lamp assembly of vehicles and, in particular, to thermal management in the lamp assembly with small chamber size of vehicles.
BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART:
[002] In the automobile/vehicle, lamp assemblies, such as head lamp assembly and tail lamp assembly are provided at front and rear end of the vehicle respectively. The lamp assembly has a light source, such as a halogen lamp, light emitting diode (LED) or high intensity discharge (HID) lamp, and reflector positioned within lamp housing. Front surface of the lamp assembly is covered with a transparent cover which may be clear or colored. Further, the lamp assembly receives electricity from a power source, such as battery of the vehicle or alternator.
[003] The lamp assembly generates heat while lamps are ‘on’. In order to maintain the temperature of the lamp assembly size of the lamp is optimised for different materials or one or more openings are provided in the lamp assembly that permits exchange of hot air inside the lamp assembly and the ambient air. However, the at least one opening leads to entry of foreign contaminants, such as dust and debris, in the lamp housing and thereby rendering unpleasing aesthetic appearance in the lamp housing.
[004] Generally, the opening is covered with some additional parts, such as breather tube, gore patch for heat dissipation. However these additional parts are not so effective in large amount thermal management of the opening. Further, the metal brackets are also used to cover the opening area, however the metal brackets restrict thermal flow of the hot gases. Accordingly, these brackets are ineffective in proper thermal management in small sized lamps.
[005] Figure 1 discloses an opening 100 provided on the lamp cover or lamp housing. The opening 100 is provided to maintain the temperature inside the lamp cover. Figure 2 discloses lamp housing which is provided with a pair of breather caps 200 to exchange hot air inside the lamp housing with the ambient air. Figure 3 discloses lamp housing with gore patch 300 for hot air exchange with ambient air. Similarly, figure 4 discloses placement of steel metal bracket 400 on the opening to restrict the entry of foreign particles. But this arrangement is less effective the thermal management in the small lamp housing.
[006] In view of the above, it is beneficial to have a lamp assembly that has a system that effectively restrict entry of foreign particles and provide proper thermal management to the lamp housing. Therefore, a simple and inexpensive thermal management system for restricting entry of foreign particles in lamp housing and effective thermal management of the lamp housing is required.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION:
[007] The principal objective of the present invention is to provide a plastic cover/bracket over opening present in the lamp housing to restrict entry of foreign particles inside the lamp housing.
[008] Another object of the present subject matter is to provide thermal management to the lamp housing by dissipating hot air from the lamp housing.
[009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a bracket for restricting entry of foreign particles inside lamp housing.
[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a bracket that encloses opening provided in the lamp housing to increase the breathing air volume for the lamp inside the lamp housing which ultimately increases thermal management of the lamp housing.
[0011] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a bracket for solving thermal management issues in sleek lamps by increasing the breathing volume of the lamps.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
[0012] The present subject matter relates to a halogen lamp assembly for dissipating heat in lamp housing in vehicles. The lamp assembly includes a cutout provided in the lamp housing at upper side of the lamp housing. Further, a heat dissipating bracket mounted on the lamp housing to cover the cutout and to increase breathing air volume for better heat dissipating. The heat dissipating bracket covers the cutout completely to restrict entry of the foreign particles.
[0013] In other embodiment, the present subject matter relates to heat dissipating bracket for covering free space available between upper lamp housing and lower lamp housing for increasing breathing air volume for lamp for better heat dissipation. The heat dissipating bracket comprises a flat base surface having two semicircular cuts along length of the flat base surface in opposite sides to receive circular outer surface of lamp housings. Further, two sides of the flat base surface bend and extend in perpendicular direction with respect to the flat base surface. The two sides and the flat base surface are connected with each other to form an enclosure to cover the free space available between the upper lamp housing and the lower lamp housing.
[0014] In order to further understand the characteristics and technical contents of the present subject matter, a description relating thereto will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the drawings are illustrative only but not used to limit scope of the present subject matter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of the present subject matter and are therefore not to be considered for limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the figures to reference like features and components. Some embodiments of system or methods in accordance with embodiments of the present subject matter are now described, by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
[0016] Fig. 1 illustrates opening present in the lamp assembly as known in the art;
[0017] Fig. 2 illustrates concept of breather tubes in the lamp assembly as known in the art;
[0018] Fig. 3 illustrates concept of gore patch on the opening to restrict entry of foreign particles as known in the art;
[0019] Fig. 4 illustrates mounting of metal bracket sheet on the opening to restrict entry of foreign particles as known in the art;
[0020] Fig. 5 illustrates line diagram of the opening or cutout in the lamp housing for exchange of air, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0021] Fig. 6 illustrates photo diagram of the opening or cutout on the lamp housing for exchange of air;
[0022] Fig. 7 illustrates structure of heat dissipating bracket that encloses the opening available on the lamp housing, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0023] Fig. 8 illustrates arrangement of gore patch and breather tube on the flat base surface of the heat dissipating bracket, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0024] Fig. 9 illustrates arrangement of breather cap on the flat base surface of the heat dissipating bracket, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0025] Fig. 10 illustrates mounting of the heat dissipating bracket on the lamp housing, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0026] Fig. 11 illustrates cross sectional view of the opening without the heat dissipating bracket;
[0027] Fig. 12 illustrates cross sectional view of the mounting arrangement of heat dissipating bracket along AA as shown in figure 10, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0028] Fig. 13 illustrates cross sectional view of the mounting arrangement of heat dissipating bracket along BB as shown in figure 10, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter; and
[0029] Fig. 14 illustrates cross sectional view of the mounting arrangement of the heat dissipating bracket along CC as shown in figure 10, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0030] The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for the purposes of illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS:
[0031] The subject matter disclosed herein relates to thermal management in lamp assemblies in vehicles. The present subject matter specifically relates to thermal management in sleek lamps which has design considerations. In the lamp assemblies, temperature of the lamp chamber is very high due to glowing bulb inside the chamber. Accordingly, temperature inside the lamp chamber is increased. In order to maintain the temperature and inside the lamp chamber, a cut out is provided over the bulb in lamp housing for exchange of hot and ambient air to maintain the temperature of the lamp chamber. The cutout is vulnerable to entry of foreign particles inside the lamp chamber, interchangeably may be referred as housing, which reduces the aesthetic appeal and performance of the lamp. In the present subject matter, the thermal management of the lamp assembly is achieved by increasing effective breathing air volume of the lamp inside the lamp chamber. In the present subject matter, effective breathing air volume of the lamp is increased by using a plastic bracket that encloses more air for better handling of thermal management issues in sleek lamps. By providing, the plastic bracket sleek intent of the lamp is met by keeping the reflector size sleek because it is not visible from vehicle exterior. The plastic heat dissipating bracket is provided on the lamp housing using screw mounting. The plastic heat dissipating bracket covers free space available between upper lamp housing and lower lamp housing. After covering the free space, the covered free space is added to the breathing air volume of the lamp for increasing the thermal management of the lamp. Further, breather tube, breather cap, and gore patch can be applied on surface of the plastic heat dissipating bracket to increase the heat dissipation of the lamp. The plastic heat dissipating bracket covers the cutout available in the lamp housing completely and restricts the entry of foreign particles inside the lamp chamber.
[0032] Conventionally, lamp assembly has at least one opening in the lamp assembly that permits exchange of hot air inside the lamp assembly and the ambient air. However, the one or more opening if left uncovered leads to entry of foreign contaminants, such as dust and debris, in the lamp chamber and thereby rendering unpleasing aesthetic appearance of the lamp. The at least one opening is covered with some additional parts, such as breather tube, gore patch for heat dissipation. However these additional parts are not so effective in thermal management for small opening.
[0033] Accordingly to solve above problem, the present subject matter provides a solution for thermal management of the lamp assembly by increasing effective breathing volume of the lamp inside the lamp chamber. In the present subject matter, effective breathing volume of the lamp is increased by using a plastic heat dissipating bracket that encloses more air for better handling of thermal management issues in sleek lamps. The plastic heat dissipating bracket covers free space available between upper lamp housing and lower lamp housing and adds the free space to lamp chamber for breathing volume of the lamp.
[0034] It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate the principles of the present subject matter. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present subject matter. It should also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that by devising various arrangements that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present subject matter and are included within its spirit and scope. Furthermore, all examples recited herein are principally intended expressly to be for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding the principles of the present subject matter and the concepts contributed by the inventor(s) to furthering the art, and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the present subject matter, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures.
[0035] These and other advantages of the present subject matter would be described in greater detail with reference to the following figures. It should be noted that the description merely illustrates the principles of the present subject matter. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise various arrangements that, although not explicitly described herein, embody the principles of the present subject matter and are included within its scope.
[0036] Fig. 5 illustrates back view of the lamp assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The lamp assembly has two lamp housings, i.e., upper lamp housing and lower lamp housing. The lower lamp housing has cutout 501 at upper wall of the lower lamp housing. The cutout 501 is provided just above the bulb in the lamp chamber where generation of heat is more as compared to other parts of the bulb. Further, hot air has low density due to which the hot air moves in upward direction. Therefore, the cutout 501 is provided just above the bulb where hot air has high tendency to move in upwards direction.
[0037] Figure 6 illustrates the lamp assembly along with cutout in the lamp housing. The lamp assembly 600 has two lamp housings, i.e., upper lamp housing 612 and lower lamp housing 602, a cutout (not shown in this figure) at upper side of the lower lamp housing, and a bracket (individually shown in figure 7 as 700). The bracket is mounted on the lower lamp housing from back side along the direction of the lamp. In the present subject matter, the bracket is mounted on the cutout to restrict entry of foreign particles, and allow exchange of hot and ambient air inside the lamp chamber through available cutout.
[0038] Fig. 10 illustrates cutout (interchangeably may be called as opening) on the lamp housing for exchange of air. The lamp assembly has two lamp housings, i.e., upper lamp housing 606 and lower lamp housing 604. The lower lamp housing 604 has a cutout 602 at upper side of the lower lamp housing. Fig.7 illustrates structure of heat dissipating bracket 700 that covers the cutout available on the lamp housing, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The heat dissipating bracket 700 covers available space between the two lamp housings in the lamp assembly. The bracket 700 has flat base surface 706 which have two semi-circular cuts 708 along its length to receive circular surfaces of the upper lamp housing 606 and the lower lamp housing 604 (as shown in figure 6) respectively. The flat base surface 706 of the heat dissipating bracket 700 is bent at two ends and extends in perpendicular direction with respect to flat base surface 706. The bent sides 710 have screw mounting structures or holes 702 at the end. Both the flat base surface 706 and the bent sides 710 are connected with each other and form an enclosure 712 to cover the available space between the upper lamp housing 606 and the lower lamp housing 604.
[0039] Further, the bracket 700 is made of plastic material which has good capability to stand in high thermal conditions. Specifically, the heat dissipating bracket 700 is made of thermally stable plastic material. Further, the heat dissipating bracket 700 is made through a single molding process. The bracket 700 has two breather tubes 704 at the flat base surface for heat dissipation which may be made of same material.
[0040] As illustrated in figure 8, the bracket 800 may have combination of one gore patch 802 and one breather tube 804 at the flat base surface for heat dissipation or thermal management.
[0041] As illustrated in figure 9, the bracket 900 may have one breather cap 902 or more than one breather caps at the flat base surface for thermal management. Further, the bracket 900 can have any combination of gore patch, breather tube and breather cap for thermal management of the lamp assembly.
[0042] Fig. 10 illustrates mounting of the heat dissipating bracket on the lamp housing, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The bracket covers available space between the upper lamp housing and the lower lamp housing, and adds the free space available to the breathing air volume of the lamp chamber for better thermal management. Further, the heat dissipating bracket covers the cutout in the lower lamp housing completely and restricts entry of foreign particle of any size in the lamp chamber.
[0043] Fig. 11 illustrates cross sectional view of the cutout present in the upper wall side of the lamp housing without bracket. The lamp assembly has a bulb 1102 inside the lower lamp housing/reflector 1106. At upper side of the lower lamp housing/reflector 1106 a cutout 1104 is available from where hot air can exchange with the ambient air. A free space 1508 is available between the upper lamp housing and the lower lamp housing.
[0044] Fig. 12 illustrates cross sectional view of the mounting arrangement of the bracket along AA as shown in figure 10, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The lamp assembly 1200 has upper lamp housing 1208, lower lamp housing 1210, and a cutout 1216. In the present subject matter, the thermal management of the lamp assembly is achieved by increasing effective breathing air volume of the lamp inside the lamp chamber. The effective breathing air volume of the lamp is increased by using a heat dissipating bracket 1204 that encloses more air for better handling of thermal management issues in sleek designed lamps. By providing the heat dissipating bracket 1204, sleek intent of the lamp is met by keeping the reflector size sleek because it is not visible from vehicle exterior. The heat dissipating bracket 1204 is mounted on the lamp housing using screw mounting.
[0045] The heat dissipating bracket 1204 covers free space available between upper lamp housing and lower lamp housing. After covering the available free space, the covered free space is added to the breathing air volume of the lamp as an additional air volume 1202 for increasing the thermal management of the lamp 1206. Further, the heat dissipating 1204 covers the cutout 1216 available in the lamp housing completely and restricts the entry of foreign particles inside the lamp chamber. The heat dissipating bracket 1204 is made of plastic material which has good capability to stand in high thermal conditions. Specifically, the heat dissipating bracket 1204 is made of thermally stable plastic material. Further, the heat dissipating bracket 1204 is made through a single molding process.
[0046] Fig. 13 illustrates cross sectional view of the screw mounting arrangement of the heat dissipating bracket along BB line as shown in figure 10, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The heat dissipating bracket is screw mounted on the lamp housing. The heat dissipating bracket 1304 is mounted on the lamp housing 1302 using the screws 1308.
[0047] Fig. 14 illustrates cross sectional view along the CC line of the breather tube mounted on the plastic bracket as shown in figure 14, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0048] Although embodiments for the present subject matter have been described in language specific to structural features, it is to be understood that the present subject matter is not necessarily limited to the specific features described. Rather, the specific features and methods are disclosed as embodiments for the present subject matter. Numerous modifications and adaptations of the system/device of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and thus it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and adaptations which fall within the scope of the present subject matter.

Claims: We claim:
1. A lamp assembly (600, 1200) for dissipating heat in lamp housing in vehicles, the lamp assembly (600, 1200) comprising:
a cutout (602, 1216) provided in the lamp housing (604, 1210) at 5 upper side of the housing;
a heat dissipating bracket (700, 1204) mounted on the lamp housing (604, 1210) to cover the cutout (602, 1216) and to increase breathing air volume for better heat dissipating.
10
2. The lamp assembly (600, 1200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heat dissipating bracket (700, 1204) covered free area available between upper lamp housing (1208) and lower lamp housing (1210) and adding the covered area to breathing air volume of the lamp for better heat dissipation and prevent entry of foreign particles 15
3. The lamp assembly (600, 1200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heat dissipating bracket (700, 1204) has two screw mounting holes to mount the heat dissipating bracket (700, 1204) on the lamp housing.
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4. The lamp assembly (600, 1200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heat dissipating bracket (700, 1204) has one breather cap to dissipate heat.
5. The lamp assembly (600, 1200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heat dissipating bracket (700, 1204) has one breather cap (902) and one breather 25 tube to dissipate heat.
6. The lamp assembly (600, 1200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heat dissipating bracket (700, 1204) has one gorepatch (802) and one breather tube (804) to dissipate heat. 30
13
7. The lamp assembly (600, 1200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heat dissipating bracket (700, 1204) has two breather tube (704) to dissipate heat.
8. The lamp assembly (600, 1200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heat dissipating bracket (700, 1204) is made of thermally stable plastic material. 5
9. A heat dissipating bracket (700, 1204) for covering free space (1202) available between upper lamp housing and lower lamp housing for increasing breathing air volume for lamp for better heat dissipation, the heat dissipating bracket (700, 1204) comprises: 10
a flat base surface (706) having two semicircular cuts (708) along length of the flat base surface (706) in opposite sides to receive circular outer surface of lamp housings (604, 606);
two sides (710) bend and extend in perpendicular direction of the flat base surface (706); 15
wherein two sides (710) and the flat base surface (706) are connected with each other to form an enclosure (712) to cover the free space available between the upper lamp housing (606) and the lower lamp housing (604).
10. The heat dissipating bracket (700, 1204) as claimed in claim 9, wherein end 20 of each of the two sides (710) has screw mounting holes (702) to mount the heat dissipating bracket (700, 1204) to the lamp housing (604, 606).
11. The heat dissipating bracket (700, 1204) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the heat dissipating bracket (700, 1204) is made of thermally stable plastic 25 material.
12. The heat dissipating bracket (700, 1204) as claimed in claim 9, wherein structure of the heat dissipating bracket (700, 1204) is in U shape.
30
14
13. The heat dissipating bracket (700, 1204) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the heat dissipating bracket (700, 1204) is made through a single molding process.
14. The heat dissipating bracket (700, 1204) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the 5 flat base surface (706) has two breather tube (704) for heat dissipation.
15. The heat dissipating bracket (700, 800, 1204) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the flat base surface (706) has one breather tube (804) and one breather cap (902) for heat dissipation. 10
16. The heat dissipating bracket (700, 800, 1204) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the flat base surface (706) has one gore patch (802) and one breather tube (804) for heat dissipation.
17. The heat dissipating bracket (700, 800, 1204) as claimed in claim 9, wherein 15 the flat base surface (706) has one gore patch (802) and one breather cap (902) for heat dissipation. ,