IP Library Granted Patent US 7,399,106
Granted Patent B2
US 7,399,106 · App. 11/151,607 · Granted Jul 15, 2008

Lens optics used to reduce part deformation due to heat

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,399,106
App. No.
11/151,607
Granted
Jul 15, 2008
Kind
B2
Abstract

A light assembly for an automotive vehicle includes a lens holder that supports an internal lens. The light assembly includes a light source powered by the vehicle. The internal lens includes a first surface having a plurality of protrusions. The protrusion scatter and diffuse heat emitted from the light source away from an outwardly positioned reflex lens and an outer lens. The protrusions also reflect light toward a reflector to increase the overall brightness observed coming from the light assembly.

Claims (11)

1. A motor vehicle lens assembly, said motor vehicle lens assembly comprising:

a light source;

a housing adapted to support said light source;

an outer lens spaced apart from said light source; and

a lens holder disposed between said light source and said outer lens, said lens holder supporting a reflex lens and an internal lens between said light source and said outer lens,

said lens holder holding said internal lens between said light source and said reflex lens, said internal lens having a first surface facing said light source and a second surface spaced apart from said reflex lens, said first surface having an integrally formed plurality of light reflecting protrusions extending outwardly in the direction of said light source for deflecting light and heat away from the reflex lens,

said internal lens having a metallic layer disposed along said first surface facing said light source, said metallic layer allowing a portion of the light incident upon said metallic layer to pass through said metallic layer and said internal lens toward said reflex lens.

2. The motor vehicle lens assembly as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said protrusions on said first surface are arcuately shaped, said internal lens having a generally planar second surface opposite said first surface.

3. The motor vehicle lens assembly as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said protrusions are cube shaped.

4. The motor vehicle lens assembly as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said metallic layer is aluminum.

5. The lens assembly as set forth in claim 1 including an aperture extending through said internal lens for ventilating a space defined between said reflex lens and said internal lens, said aperture being disposed along a periphery of said internal lens so as to not be visible externally through said outer lens.

Assignments (4)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 15, 2008
From: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
To: TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 021387/0745 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 15, 2008
From: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
To: TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 021387/0747 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 22, 2007
From: TOYOTA TECHNICAL CENTER USA, INC.
To: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Reel/Frame 019728/0295 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 1, 2005
From: READING, PAUL ANTHONY
To: TOYOTA TECHNICAL CENTER USA, INC.
Reel/Frame 016213/0070 →