Light assembly

Abstract

An improved light assembly includes aligned directional light sources mounted one behind another. A distal one of the light sources occludes light emitted from a proximal one of the light sources. A reflector is interposed between the light sources, with a convex surface facing the proximal one of the light sources. Thus, the light assembly projects a light field extending at least through an 180° hemisphere, and up to about 270° backwards from the forward orientation of the light field, well-illuminating lateral approaches to the assembly.

Claims

1. An apparatus for emitting light, comprising: at least two aligned directional light sources mounted one behind another and enclosed by an outer light-transmissive cover, wherein a distal one of the light sources occludes light emitted from a proximal one of the light sources; and a reflector interposed between the light sources and supported inside the outer light-transmissive cover by an inner light-transmissive collar that encloses the proximal one of the light sources and the reflector, wherein the reflector has a convex surface facing the proximal one of the light sources configured to reflect light from the proximal one of the light sources to an exterior of the light assembly in an opposing direction at least 90 degrees away from a primary emission direction of the light sources.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the light sources comprises at least one Light-Emitting Device (LED) mounted to a planar substrate.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, where the planar substrate is elongate and opaque.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the at least one LED comprises a plurality of LEDs arranged along the elongate substrate.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, where the convex surface of the reflector is cylindrically arcuate.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, where the convex surface of the reflector is parabolic.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the light sources are mounted in substantially parallel disparate planes.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a base supporting the proximal one of the light sources.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the outer light-transmissive cover is coupled to the base and encloses the light sources and the reflector.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the inner light-transmissive collar does not enclose the distal one of the light sources.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the inner light-transmissive collar supports the distal one of the light sources.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a circuit board comprising at least one semiconductor device operatively coupled to the light sources.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the proximal one of the light sources is mounted to the circuit board.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the distal one of the light sources is operatively coupled to the circuit board.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a battery compartment disposed under the proximal one of the light sources.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a strap fixed to the battery compartment.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the reflector is configured to reflect light from the proximal one of the light sources in a range of 90 degrees to 135 degrees away from a primary emission direction of the light sources.

18. A method for illuminating a conveyance, comprising: attaching a light assembly to the conveyance, comprising at least two aligned directional light sources mounted one behind another and enclosed by an outer light-transmissive cover, wherein a distal one of the light sources occludes light emitted from a proximal one of the light sources, and a reflector interposed between the light sources and supported inside the outer light-transmissive cover by an inner light-transmissive collar that encloses the proximal one of the light sources and the reflector, wherein the reflector has a convex surface facing the proximal one of the light sources configured to reflect light from the proximal one of the light sources to an exterior of the light assembly in an opposing direction at least 90 degrees away from a primary emission direction of the light sources, wherein the light assembly is oriented with the light sources facing backwards relative to the conveyance, such that the distal light shines backwards without being reflected and the light from the proximal light source is reflected by the reflector forward.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the conveyance comprises a bicycle, and the attaching comprises strapping the light assembly behind the bicycle seat.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The features, nature, and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which like reference characters identify like elements correspondingly throughout the specification and drawings.

(2) FIG. 1 is a top view of a novel light assembly.

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates a strap for attaching the light assembly shown in FIG. 1 to a bicycle or other structure.

(4) FIG. 3 is a cutaway perspective view of the light assembly shown in FIG. 1.

(5) FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the light assembly shown in FIG. 1.

(6) FIG. 5 is a side view of the light assembly attached by its strap assembly to a bicycle.

(7) FIG. 6 is a diagram showing geometrical features of light fields emitted from the light apparatus.

(8) FIG. 7 is a diagram showing aspects of an electrical circuit and optical elements of the light assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(9) Various aspects are now described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of one or more aspects. It may be evident, however, that the various aspects may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form to facilitate describing these aspects.

(10) Referring to FIGS. 1-4, a portable apparatus 100 for emitting light in multiple directions includes at least two separate light sources 102, 104. In the illustrated embodiment, the at least two light sources 102, 104 are instantiated as Light-Emitting Diode (LED) arrays on elongate rectangular substrates 112, 114. The substrates 112, 114 may be, or may include, a printed circuit board (PCB) material configured for supplying power to an LED array mounted to it. In an aspect, the substrate material may be opaque. In other embodiments, the substrates 112, 114 are not rectangular and/or are not elongated. The LED arrays of the light sources 102, 104 may include any non-zero integer number of LEDs. In alternative embodiments, or in addition, the light sources 102, 104 may be or may include another type of emissive element that can be powered by a battery, for example a filament bulb or fluorescent tube.

(11) A distal one of the light sources 102 is coupled to a base 106 of the apparatus 100 by a light-transmissive support collar 108, that holds the light source 102 and associated substrate 112 substantially parallel (e.g., within five degrees of parallel) to the proximal light source 104 and associated substrate 114. The collar 108 attaches the distal light source to the base 106 without obstructing light from a proximal one of the light sources 104 mounted to the base 106 inside the collar 108. The collar 108 may be made from any suitable light-transmissive structural plastic, for example by injection molding, or from any other suitable light-transmissive material or composite. The assembly of the collar 108 to the substrate 112 and base 106 encloses the proximal light source 104 and other components, with a small opening to allow for electrical wiring (not shown) to pass though. The distal light source 102 may be attached to the base 106 using any suitable structure that transmits light from the proximal light source 104 and reflector 110 to the exterior of the assembly 100. In the preferred embodiment, the collar is made of a red translucent and diffusive plastic so that light emitted from light sources 104 appears red. In other embodiments, the collar 108 may include large openings to better transmit light.

(12) The collar 108 may further support the convex (e.g., parabolic) reflector 110 positioned under the distal substrate 112, having an arcuate convex surface facing the proximal light source 104. In alternative embodiments, the surface of the reflector facing the light source 104 may be non-arcuate, for example, V-shaped, or multi-faceted. However, a smooth arcuate convex reflector may be advantageous for spreading light from the source 104 over a broad cylindrical or spherical section more evenly and with less glare than from a flat or multi-faceted reflector. The reflector 110 may be made from any suitable reflective material, for example, polished metal, chrome-plated metal, metallized plastic, or metallized glass. While the illustrated reflector 110 is semi-cylindrical, the reflector may have any other suitable configuration, for example hemi-spherical. FIGS. 1-4 are drawn to scale and may be used as references for useful geometry.

(13) The proximal light source 104 and substrate 114 may be coupled to an PCB 116 (FIG. 3) including a semiconductor circuit for controlling the light sources 102, 104. Depending on design preferences, control functions may include, for example, on, off, set power or intensity, emission of different colors of light, pulsing or blinking, automatic on/off based on input from an ambient light sensor or motion sensor, or any other useful function. Electrical wires, alone or in a wiring harness (not shown) may connect the circuit on the PCB 116 to the distal light source 102, the batteries 122, and to the proximal light source 104. The circuit on the PCB 116 controls both the distal light source 102 and the proximal light source 104.

(14) The light sources 102, 104, collar 108, reflector 110 and associated components may be enclosed in a light transmissive cover 120 made of a structural plastic, or other suitable material, attached to the base 106. In the preferred embodiment, the light transmissive cover 120 is made of a substantially clear transparent plastic. The base 106 may include an interior compartment holding one or more batteries 122 for powering the circuit on the PCB 116 and light sources 102, 104. A spacer of insulating material 118 may be interposed between the batteries 122 and the PCB 116.

(15) A mounting adaptor 130 may be attached to the base 106 to facilitate attachment of the light assembly 100 to a frame 502 of a bicycle 500 or similar conveyance (FIG. 5). Straps 136, 138 may snap to posts 140, 142 on the base 106. Elongate portions of the straps 136, 136 may be configured to wrap around a frame or similar element and may include elements for attaching to one another, for example, buckles and straps, sockets and posts, hook-and-loop materials, or any other suitable attachment mechanism. The base 106 may be attached to the cover 120 using removable elements, for example using fastening components 132 and 134. In the use case illustrated by FIG. 5, the light assembly is attached to the rear of the conveyance and facing backwards. In this use case, light projects backwards and forwards from the rear of the bicycle. Thus, FIG. 5 illustrates a method for illuminating a conveyance by attaching a light assembly as described to the conveyance, oriented with the light sources facing backwards relative to the conveyance, such that the distal light shines backwards without being reflected and the light from the proximal light source is reflected by the reflector forward. In other use cases and methods, the light assembly may be attached to the front of the bicycle, in an orientation reversed from that shown in FIG. 5.

(16) FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a light field 600 projected from the illustrated light assembly. It should be appreciated that the specific geometry of the light field may be adapted by altering the shape, position, and orientation of the light sources 102, 104 and reflector 110. The circle 604 represents the light assembly, wherein the distal light source projects a cone-shaped light field 610 centered around a central ray 602 indicating a primary emission direction of the light sources and assembly 604. The light cone 610 subtends an angle ‘α’ between the boundaries 612, 614 which is at least 90° and may be as great as 180°, extending to a midplane 606 perpendicular to the drawing page and parallel to the substrate of the distal light source, which being opaque, prevents light from the distal light source shining past the midplane 606.

(17) The proximal light source reflected by the reflector supplies light to the space extending from the midplane 606 to the boundaries 622, 624 of the shadow cone 620, subtending an angle ‘β’. Because the midplane 606 is perpendicular to the central ray 602, the reflector is configured to reflect light from the proximal one of the light sources at least 90° away from a primary emission direction of the light sources. In an aspect, the reflector is configured to reflect light from the proximal one of the light sources in a range of 90° to 135° away from a primary emission direction of the light sources, illustrated by ‘β’ in FIG. 6. The light assembly may be configured such that angle ‘β’ may be between 30° to 60° from the midplane. By way of example, an angle ‘α’ of 180° with an angle ‘α’ of 45° results in a 90° shadow cone and a 270° light field. For further example, an angle ‘α’ of 180° with an angle ‘β’ of 60° results in a 60° shadow cone and a 300° light field. In any case, the shadow cone 620 is preserved, to prevent casting light back onto the base of the light apparatus where it can do no good, or in a direction that may cause a problem such as glare to the operator of the conveyance.

(18) FIG. 7 illustrates aspects of an electrical circuit 700 powering light sources 702 and 710 emitting light rays 706 and 714, respectively. The rays 706 are emitted from the distal light source 702 on a substrate 704 as described above. The rays 714 are emitted from the proximal light source 710 on substrate 712 and reflected by the reflector 708 as described above.

(19) The circuit 700 supplies power from a portable power source, for example a battery 720, to the light sources 702, 710 via a controller 716. The controller 716 may be a semiconductor device, for example a microcontroller, which may include or be coupled to a memory 718 holding instructions for controlling functions provided by the circuit 700 (PCB 116) as described herein above. In some embodiments, the controller 716 may be coupled to a sensor 726, for example an ambient light sensor or motion sensor, and use input from the sensor in a control method for the light sources 702, 710. The circuit may include a manual switch 724 enabling a user to activate or deactivate the circuit 700 as desired, and other components as known in the art of circuit design for light-emitting devices.

(20) The previous description of the disclosed aspects is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present disclosure. Various modifications to these aspects will be clear to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.