LED headlamp system

US8104939B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• OSRAM SYLVANIA Inc. · US

Inventors

• Charles M. Coushaine · Rindge, US
• Angela Hohl-AbiChedid · Beverly, US
• Ralph Johnson · Bedford, US
• William Meyer · Dallas, US
• Thomas Reiners · Giengen an der Brenz, DE
• Thomas Tessnow · Weare, US
• Michael Tucker · Henniker, US
• Ralf Vollmer · Heidenheim, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 23, 2006
• Grant date: Jan 31, 2012
• Expiry date: Jan 11, 2028

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F21Y2115/10
• WIPO field: Electrical machinery, apparatus, energy
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A solid-state light source (10) comprising a plurality of LED units (12) arrayed to emit light generally about an axis (14). Each of the LED units (12) can comprise a number of LEDs, for example, up to five. They may all emit in a single color or multiple colors can be combined for a specific effect. A light transmissive light guide (16) is associated with the LED units (12) and has a plurality of input widows (18). Each LED unit (12) faces a respective input window (18) and each window (18) transversely intercepts the axis (14) and receives light from the LED units (12). The input windows (18) lead to a common output window (20) that is axially aligned with the input windows (18). The light guide (16) has smooth sidewalls (22) that extend between the input windows (18) and the output window (20).