Fog lamp lens and assembly

#The present disclosure relates generally to automotive forward lighting and, more particularly, to an automotive fog lamp.

#Automotive fog lamps are auxiliary forward lighting devices mounted in the front fascia of an automobile. Fog lamps direct light low and toward the ground to provide improved visibility during poor weather conditions. Typical “projector” automotive fog lamps include a halogen light bulb surrounded by a polyellipsoidal reflector, which is covered by a glass aspheric condenser lens. Light produced by the bulb is directed by the reflector through the lens and focused outward, typically toward the roadway.

#In certain circumstances, the condenser lens of a typical fog lamp may reflect and concentrate incoming solar light rays. In particular, solar light rays incoming from certain angles may be reflected off of the back surface of the lens due to a phenomenon known as total internal reflection. The reflected solar light rays may be concentrated at a particular focal point outside of the condenser lens. For certain vehicle and fog-lamp combinations, the focal point may be located on or near the vehicle fascia or other part of the vehicle. In those vehicles, the vehicle fascia, which is typically constructed of plastic, may melt or otherwise be damaged due to excessive solar heating. Redesigning the vehicle fascia to reduce solar effects associated with fog lamps may be expensive or impossible.

#The detailed description particularly refers to the following figures, in which:

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fog lamp positioned in a fascia of an automobile;

#FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the fog lamp of FIG. 1;

#While the concepts of the present disclosure are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described herein in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit the concepts of the present disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives consistent with the present disclosure and the appended claims.

#References in the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an illustrative embodiment,” etc., indicate the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may or may not necessarily include that particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.

#Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a fog lamp 10 is shown. Although illustrated as a fog lamp 10, it should be understood that the lamp 10 may also be embodied as any projector-type automotive lamp, including without limitation a headlamp, a high-beam lamp, a driving light, or a daytime running light. The fog lamp 10 is positioned in a front fascia 12 of an automobile. The front fascia 12 includes a trim bezel 14 that surrounds the fog lamp 10. The trim bezel 14 may be constructed from a plastic material such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (“ABS”) plastic and therefore may be sensitive to excessive heating.