FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present disclosure relates to the field of automobiles. Particularly, the
present disclosure relates to a lamp for automobiles. Further, the embodiments of the
present disclosure disclose a daytime running lamp with a Light Emitting Diode.
BACKGROUND
10 [002] Generally, automobiles are provided with lamps for providing illumination
and/or signaling other drivers. Conventional lamps consist of a power source to
provide electrical energy to an incandescent or fluorescent lamp. However, these
conventional lamps have a short operating life. Accordingly, manufacturers have
started equipping vehicles with Light Emitting Diode or LEDs. The LED lamps have
15 an advantage of providing lighting of various colours and consumes less power as
compared to the conventional sources.
[003] However, a major drawback associated with use of LEDs is that it can
provide required illumination only with the fixed position of lamp assembly. The
20 conventional lamps having either direct LEDs with lens or single reflector with
indirect optical system, or single reflector with direct optical system, can therefore
provide an optimum convergence effect only at a specific position of the lamp. The
existing lamps have a fixed spread angle of 20degrees. In other words, the LED can
spread the illumination 20 degrees left and 20 degrees right from centre of the lamp.
25 Accordingly, a major limitation associated with these lamps is that they have to be
mounted at exact reference surface of the automobile so as to provide the maximum
spread angle of 20 degrees required for illumination. If the lamp is not mounted
properly at exact reference surface, it may not achieve the required spread angle.
3
[004] Accordingly, there exists a need to develop an improved lamp for
automobiles. Specifically, a lamp that overcomes the one or more limitations
associated with conventional LED lamps.
5 SUMMARY
[005] The present invention relates to a daytime running lamp for an automobile.
The daytime running lamp comprises a housing, a lens, a light source, a control
circuit, a lens holder, at least one reflector, a heat sink and a gasket. The plurality of
LEDs is configured as a light source for emitting light beam. The reflector is having
10 a continuous reflection surface formed of a plurality of convex optical surfaces,
positioned in proximity to the light source, configured to reflect light beam emitted
from the light source onto the illumination surface of the lens wherein the plurality of
convex optical surfaces are aligned with light source to reflect the light beam to the
illumination surface of lens at wider angles.
15
[006] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of LED is fitted on
the control circuit to form a LED unit. The LED unit is adapted with the heat sink,
received an input in form of electrical energy and converted into light energy to
produce a beam of light. The lens is adapted with the lens holder attached with heat
20 sink through fastening means. The reflector is adapted with lens holder through
fastening means. The housing encloses the all above-mentioned components.
[007] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a gasket is disposed between
heatsink and interior wall of housing for sealing the lamp.
25
[008] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any
way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features
described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent
with reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.
30
4
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[009] Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will be readily
understood from the following detailed description with reference to the
accompanying figure(s). The figure(s) together with a detailed description below, are
5 incorporated in and form part of the specification, and serve to further illustrate the
embodiments and explain various principles and advantages, in accordance with the
present invention wherein:
Figure 1 illustrates a side view of the daytime running lamp in accordance with an
10 embodiment of the disclosure.
Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of the daytime running lamp in accordance
with an embodiment of the disclosure.
15 Figure 3 illustrates a schematic view of the daytime running lamp of Fig. 1,
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[010] Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated
for simplicity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the
20 dimensions of some of the elements in the drawings may be exaggerated relative to
other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
25 [011] While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative
forms, specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the
figures and will be described in detail below. It should be understood, however that it
is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the
contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative
30 falling within the spirit and the scope of the invention.
5
[012] Before describing in detail embodiments, it may be observed that the novelty
and inventive step that are in accordance with the present disclosure resides in a
daytime running lamp for an automobile. It is to be noted that a person skilled in the
art can be motivated from the present disclosure and modify the various
5 constructions of assembly, which are varying from vehicle to vehicle. However, such
modification should be construed within the scope and spirit of the invention.
Accordingly, the drawing(s) are showing only those specific details that are pertinent
to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the
disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the
10 art having benefit of the description herein.
[013] The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are
intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a setup, device that comprises
a list of components does not include only those components but may include other
15 components not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or device. In other words,
one or more elements in a system or device proceeded by “comprises… a” does not,
without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional
elements in the system or device.
20 [014] Accordingly, it is an aim of the present disclosure to provide a daytime
running lamp which produces wider illumination.
[015] Another aim of the present disclosure is to provide a daytime running lamp
provides optimum illumination at multiple of positions of mounting the lamp on the
25 vehicle.
[016] Accordingly, the present disclosure discloses a daytime running lamp for an
automobile described with reference to the figures and specific embodiments; this
description is not meant to be constructed in a limiting sense. Various alternative
30 embodiments from part of the present invention.
6
[017] The daytime running lamp is configured to mount on the front of the vehicle.
The different vehicles may have different mounting configurations to accommodate
daytime running lamp. The daytime running lamp may be varying in size to mount
on the vehicle of different sizes.
5
[018] Figure 1 shows a daytime running lamp (100) in accordance with an
embodiment of the disclosure. The daytime running lamp (100) comprises a housing
(160), a lens (110), a light source (120), a control circuit, a lens holder, at least one
reflector (130), a heat sink (140) and a gasket (150).
10
[019] A plurality of LEDs is configured as a light source (120) for emitting light
beam. The plurality of LEDs (120) is configured with a power source for emitting
light. The plurality of LEDs (120) is adapted to the control circuit to form a LED
unit. The LED unit is adapted with the heat sink (150) through fastening means. The
15 heat sink (150) is configured to dissipate the heat from the lamp. The LED unit is
configured to receive an input in form of electrical energy from the power source and
converted into light energy to produce a beam of light.
[020] The reflector (130) is positioned in proximity to the light source (120). In an
20 embodiment of the present disclosure, the reflector (130) is parabolic in shape and
having a continuous reflection surface. The reflector (130) is adapted with the lens
holder through fastening means. The reflector (130) is located at some distance from
the light source (120) such that maximum amount of the light emitted by the light
source can incident on the continuous reflection surface of the reflector so as to
25 reflect the light beam. In an embodiment, as shown in figure 2, the continuous
reflection surface is formed of a plurality of convex optical surfaces (170). In another
embodiment of the invention, the convex optical surfaces are multi-facet convex
optical surfaces.
30 [021] The lens (110) comprises of an illumination surface. In an embodiment of
the present disclosure, the illumination surface comprises of a plurality of optical
surfaces. In another embodiment of the invention, the plurality of optical surfaces are
7
multi-facet optical surfaces with reference to lens. The lens (110) is adapted with
lens holder. The lens holder is adapted with the heatsink (140) through fastening
means.
5 [022] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the fastening means can be a
plurality of screws or plurality of locators, sealing means or a group of fasteners and
the like.
[023] The gasket (150) is disposed between heatsink (140) and interior wall of
10 housing (160) for sealing the lamp. The gasket (150) accommodate expansion and
also provide a leakproof seal. Under normal conditions, the gasket (150) is slightly
compressed so that residual forces in the gasket urge the reflector and lens into
operative position and effect a seal therearound.
15 [024] As shown in Figure 2, the housing (160) with an interior wall defining a
cavity (180) is providing an opening facing a forward direction. The housing (160)
encloses the all above-mentioned components.
[025] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the reflector (130) and light
20 source (120) are arranged such that the distance between light source can be change
with respect to the reflector (130) in the Z axis direction of reflector thus the distance
between the light source (120) and the reflector (130) is adjustable. In another
embodiment of the present disclosure, the light source (120) can be situated in a
deeper position, causing the light beam from the light source (120) to be relatively
25 dispersed. Alternatively, the light source (120) can be situated in a mediate position,
causing the light beam to be less dispersed, and more collimated. In another
embodiment of the present disclosure, the said distance can be varied due to external
causes i.e. expansion or the like. The said distance between the light source (120) and
the reflector (130) is within the range of 2.85 mm to 5.45 mm.
30
[026] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the daytime running lamp (100)
is pivotly mounted at front of the automobile. The daytime running lamp (100) is
8
adapted to be positioned at any angle within the range of -30° to 30° with respect to
vertical axis and within the range of -2° to 2° with respect to horizontal axis of the
daytime running lamp (100) while meeting photometry performance in vehicle
optical axis.
5
[027] Referring to Figure 1, 2 and 3, during operation, when the plurality of LEDs
(120) are energized by a power source, it emits light onto the reflector (130). The
light beam from the plurality of LEDs (120) is incident on the plurality of convex
optical surfaces (170) of continuous reflection surface of the reflector. The plurality
10 of convex optical surfaces (170) are configured to reflect the light beam at a wider
angle towards the illumination surface of the lens (120) of the daytime running lamp
(100). The plurality of convex optical surfaces are aligned with light source to reflect
the light beam towards the illumination surface of lens (110) at wider angle of
reflection as shown in figure 3 in comparison to existing surfaces of lamp due to
15 characteristics of its surface and alignment with the light source (120).
[028] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the daytime running lamp (100)
is configured to provide an illumination with a spread angle up to 70° about the
center of the reflector.
20
[029] Accordingly, the daytime running lamp of the present disclosure produces an
illumination with a spread angle up to 70 degrees about the center of the reflector.
The daytime running lamp thereby provides optimum illumination at multiple of
positions of mounting the lamp on the vehicle.
25 List of Reference Numerals
Sr. No. Description
100 Daytime running lamp
110 Lens
9
5
10
Equivalents:
[030] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details
thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the
15 description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are
omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples
used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the
embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to
practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed
20 as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[031] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the
general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current
knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific
25 embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such
adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within
the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be
understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose
of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have
30 been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will
120 Light Source
130 Reflector
140 Heat Sink
150 Gasket
160 Housing
170 Plurality of convex optical surfaces
180 Cavity
10
recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the
spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
[032] Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as
5 “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated
element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion
of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.
[033] The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one
10 or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment
of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.
[034] Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles and the like
that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a
15 context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these
matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the
field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this
application.
20 [035] The numerical values mentioned for the various physical parameters,
dimensions or quantities are only approximations and it is envisaged that the values
higher/lower than the numerical values assigned to the parameters, dimensions or
quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure, unless there is a statement in the
specification specific to the contrary.
25
[036] While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the particular
features of this disclosure, it will be appreciated that various modifications can be
made, and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without
departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other modifications in the
30 nature of the disclosure or the preferred embodiments will be apparent to those
skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood
11
that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the
disclosure and not as a limitation.

We Claim:
1. A daytime running lamp (100) for an automobile, comprising:
a plurality of LEDs configured as a light source (120) for emitting light beam;
a lens (110) having an illumination surface; and
5 at least one reflector (130), comprises a continuous reflection surface formed
of a plurality of convex optical surfaces, positioned in proximity to the light
source (120), configured to reflect light beam emitted from the light source
(120) onto the illumination surface of the lens;
wherein the plurality of convex optical surfaces are aligned with light source
10 to reflect the light beam towards the illumination surface of lens (110) at
wider angles.
2. The daytime running lamp (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
illumination surface of the lens (110) comprises a plurality of optical surfaces
15 whereby the optical surfaces are multi-facet optical surfaces with reference to
lens.
3. The daytime running lamp (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shape of
reflector is parabolic.
20
4. The daytime running lamp (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the convex
optical surfaces of the reflector (130) are multi-facet convex optical surfaces.
5. The daytime running lamp (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lamp
25 configured to provide an illumination with a spread angle up to 70° from the
center of the reflector (130).
6. The daytime running lamp (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the distance
between the light source (120) and the reflector (130) is within the range of
30 2.85 mm to 5.45 mm.
13
7. The daytime running lamp (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lamp is
movable to be positioned at any angle within the range of -30° to 30° with
respect to vertical axis and within the range of -2° to 2° with respect to
horizontal axis while meeting photometry performance in vehicle optical
5 axis.
8. The daytime running lamp (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising:
a housing (160) with an interior wall defining a cavity (180);
a control circuit adapted with the plurality of LEDs (120) to form a LED unit;
10 a heat sink (140) for heat dissipation adapted with the LED unit and a lens
holder through fastening means;
the lens adapted with the lens holder;
the lens holder adapted with the reflector (130) through fastening means; and
a gasket (150) disposed inside the housing for sealing the lamp.