Illumination – Plural light sources – With modifier
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-30
2002-04-09
Quach-Lee, Y. My (Department: 2875)
Illumination
Plural light sources
With modifier
C362S247000, C362S373000, C362S800000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06367949
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Light sources have been used on vehicles such as automobiles, motorcycles, fire trucks, police cars, and ambulances, to produce a desired amount of illumination for enhancement of visualization of an area or to warn an observer as to the presence of a vehicle. These light sources may also provide light of various colors and patterns. Generally, these light sources have included reflective back support members or color filters as depicted in U.S. Pat. No. 5,091,828.
Many problems exist with the known methods for producing a light signal. One particular problem involves the size of the light source which may adversely affect the aerodynamic characteristics of the vehicle. Also the known illumination sources require a relatively large amount of electrical current during use. The demands upon the electrical power supply for a vehicle may therefore exceed the available electrical resources reducing optimization of performance for a light source or for a vehicle.
The most common light sources being used include halogen lamps or gaseous discharge xenon lamps. These lamps emanate large amounts of heat which is difficult to dissipate from a sealed light source and may damage the electronic circuitry contained therein. In addition, these types of lamps consume large amounts of current requiring a large power supply or large battery or electrical source for a vehicle. These lamps also generate substantial electromagnetic emissions which may interfere with radio communications for an emergency or other vehicle. Finally, these lamps are generally not rugged and have a relatively short operational life necessitating frequent replacement.
Another problem with the known light sources is the use of filters to produce a desired color. This filtering technique produces more heat that must be dissipated. Moreover, changing the color of the light source requires the physical removal of the filter from the light source and the insertion of a new filter. Furthermore, filters fade or flake making them unable to consistently produce a desired color.
These problems associated with traditional signal lamps are exasperated by the fact that a plurality of different light signals may be desired from a single light source. Further, there is little flexibility in modifying a traditional light source as created by a lamp.
Other problems associated with the known illumination sources include the size and shape of the light source which has in the past limited or restricted available positioning on a vehicle. In the past, light sources due to the relatively large size of the illumination elements were required to be placed within a head lamp receiver for a vehicle or at a location which did not interfere with, or obstruct, an operator's ability to visualize objects while seated in the interior of the vehicle.
The performance of a light source is a primary concern to personnel regardless of the location of the light source upon a vehicle. In the past, optimal observation of a light source has occurred when an individual was either in front of, or behind, a vehicle. Observation from the sides, or at an acute angle relative to the sides, frequently resulted in reduced observation of a light source. A need therefore exists to improve the observation of a light source for a vehicle regardless of the location of an observer. A need also exists to increase the flexibility of a light source for placement at a plurality of locations about a vehicle for observation by individuals.
In the past, flashing and/or strobe light signals emanating from a light source have been used to signal the presence of an emergency situation necessitating caution. A need exists to reduce the size of light sources on an emergency vehicle and to improve the efficiency of the light sources particularly with respect to current draw and reduced aerodynamic drag. A need also exists to enhance the flexibility of positioning of light sources about a vehicle for observation by individuals. In order to satisfy these and other needs, more spatially efficient light sources such as LED's are required. It is also necessary to provide alternative colored LED light sources which may be electrically controlled for the provision of any desired pattern of light signal such as flashing, pulsating, oscillating, modulating, and/or strobe light effects without the necessity of spatially inefficient and bulky mechanical rotational devices. A need also exists to provide a spatially and electrically efficient white LED light source for use on an emergency vehicle which provides a flashing, pulsating, modulated, oscillating, and/or strobe light effect without the necessity of mechanical devices.
In view of the above, there is a need for a light source that: (1) is capable of producing multiple light signals; (2) produces the appearance of a modulated light signal without relying upon mechanical components; (3) generates little heat; (4) uses substantially less electrical current; (5) produces significantly reduced amounts of electromagnetic emissions; (6) is rugged and has a long life span; (7) produces a truer light output color without the use of filters; (8) reduces current draw upon a vehicle power supply; and (9) is positionable at a variety of locations about a vehicle without adversely effecting the vehicle operator's ability to observe objects while seated in the interior of the vehicle.
Illumination devices for emergency vehicles in the past have incorporated utility parabolic lens reflector enclosures for focusing the light output from a light source. The signaling devices as known are commonly referred to as “unmarked corner tubes,” “hide-away tubes,” or “dome tubes” (Hide-away Tubes is the trade name of Whelan Engineering Company). These signaling devices as known frequently utilize xenon gaseous discharge tubes or incandescent lamps as illumination sources.
A problem with the prior art is the cost and failure rate of the known “unmarked corner tubes,” “hide-away tubes,” or “dome tubes.” The failure rate of these devices typically results in significant amounts of down time for a vehicle to enable replacement. In addition, individuals are frequently unaware that a vehicle light is inoperative requiring replacement. This condition may reduce the safety to an officer during the performance of his or her duties. In addition, the reduced life span and failure rate of the known illumination devices significantly increases the operational costs associated with material replacement and labor. A need, therefore, existed to enhance the durability and to reduce the failure rate of illumination devices while simultaneously reducing the cost of a replacement illumination source.
In the past, the xenon gaseous discharge lamps have utilized a sealed compartment, usually a gas tube, which may have been filled with a particular gas known to have good illuminating characteristics. One such gas used for this purpose was xenon gas, which provides illumination when it becomes ionized by the appropriate voltage application. Xenon gas discharge lamps in the past have been used in the automotive industry to provide high intensity lighting on emergency vehicles to provide a visible emergency signal light.
A xenon gas discharge lamp usually comprises a gas-filled tube which has an anode element at one end and cathode element at the other end, with both ends of the tube being sealed. The anode and cathode elements each have an electrical conductor attached which passes through the sealed gas end of the lamp exterior. An ionizing trigger wire is constrictively rolled in a helical manner about the exterior of the glass tube, and this wire is connected to a high voltage power source typically on the order of 10-12 kilowatts (Kv). The anode and cathode connections are connected to a lower level voltage source which is sufficient to maintain illumination of the lamp once the interior gas has been ionized by the high voltage source. The gas remains ignited until the anode/cathode voltage is removed; and once the gas ionization is stopped, the
911 Emergency Products, Inc.
Quach-Lee Y. My
Vidas Arrett & Steinkraus
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