Illumination – Supported by vehicle structure – Light modifier
Utility Patent
1998-01-20
2001-01-02
Husar, Stephen (Department: 2875)
Illumination
Supported by vehicle structure
Light modifier
C362S551000, C362S509000
Utility Patent
active
06168302
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
The invention relates to distributed lighting systems.
Distributed lighting systems distribute light from one or more light sources in central locations to one or more remote locations. A distributed lighting system promises several advantages over conventional lighting techniques, including low power consumption, extended life, heat reduction where the light is emitted, and increased design flexibility.
SUMMARY
The invention provides a distributed lighting system (DLS) for use, for example, in an automobile. Issues associated with incorporating a distributed lighting system into an automobile are discussed by Hulse, Lane, and Woodward in “Three Specific Design Issues Associated with Automotive Distributed Lighting Systems: Size, Efficiency and Reliability,” SAE Technical Paper Series, Paper No. 960492, which was presented at the SAE International Congress and Exposition, Detroit, Mich, Feb. 26-29, 1996, and is incorporated herein by reference.
A practical distributed lighting system for an automobile must address size, efficiency, and reliability issues. To this end, an implementation of the invention employs focus-less optics components, such as collector elements and waveguides. These components are inexpensive to manufacture, since they can be formed from plastic (acrylic, for example) in an injection molding process. In addition, they have high collecting efficiency and are very compact. For example, a collector element may be smaller than one cubic inch (16.4 cubic centimeters). Components that must handle high heat levels (e.g., components are placed in proximity to the light source) may require a ventilation system or may include portions formed from heat resistant materials, such as glass or Pyrex™.
The three most demanding lighting functions in automotive illumination systems are headlamp high beams, headlamp low beams, and stop lights. These functions may be implemented using a centralized light source having waveguide outputs that transmit the light to the appropriate output points on the vehicle (i.e., the headlamps and stop lights) and form beam patterns at each output location. However, inefficiencies in the light distribution components may make such a configuration impractical. One solution to this problem is to form a hybrid lighting subsystem by combining a conventional optical system, such as a headlamp, with components that receive light from the headlamp and transmit the light through waveguides or fiber optics to provide other lighting functions throughout the vehicle.
Four hybrid lighting subsystems, each including a high intensity discharge (HID) source, should provide enough light for an entire automobile. Less efficient systems may require additional HID sources. The HID source acts as a primary light source for a particular lighting function, such as a headlamp. In addition, the HID acts as a light source for other lighting functions throughout the vehicle. Light sources other than a HID source, such as high intensity infrared (HIR), halogen, cartridge bulbs, printed circuit (PC) bulbs, and other gas discharge and incandescent bulbs, may be used. The hybrid subsystem may employ focus-less optics (FLO) to receive and transmit light from the light source. Focus-less optics components include optical waveguides and collector elements, such as are described below and in U.S. application Ser. Nos. 08/697,930 (“Distributed Lighting System”, filed Sep. 3, 1996) and 08/791,683 (“Optical Waveguide Elements for a Distributed Lighting System”, filed Jan. 30, 1997), both which are incorporated herein by reference. A hybrid tail light subsystem may be used to provide stop lights, turn signals, backup lights, and a center high-mounted stop light (CHMSL).
A vehicle distributed lighting system may include hybrid headlamp subsystems, turn signal subsystems, and hybrid tail light subsystems. The hybrid headlamp subsystems may provide primary forward illumination for the vehicle. The headlamp subsystems may be light sources for other exterior lights, such as front turn signals of the subsystems and side markers, as well as interior lights, such as dashboard lights and dome lights. These other lights may be connected to the headlamp subsystems by optical waveguides. Similarly, the tail light subsystems provide light for rear turn signals and a center high mounted stop light. The subsystems of the DLS are interconnected so that the light source of one subsystem serves as a redundant light source for another subsystem.
The DLS may incorporate different types of optical waveguide structures to distribute light throughout the vehicle, including joints, elements with epoxy coatings, pinched end collector portions, integrated installation snaps, integrated input optics and integrated output lenses. The DLS may also include waveguide structures to provide illumination to portions of the vehicle interior, including cup holders, hand grips, and storage pockets.
A hybrid headlamp subsystem may include a light source. The light source may be a high-intensity discharge (HID) lamp. Light produced by the light source may be collected by a reflector and directed through a lens to provide the primary forward illumination for the vehicle. The hybrid headlamp subsystem may provide both high beam and low beam illumination. The subsystem may employ a number of different beam forming techniques, such as a fresnel lens that is moved by an actuator between a high beam position and a low beam position.
A solid molded plastic form or a bundle of plastic or glass fibers may be used to generate a desired headlamp beam pattern. The shape of the output end of the solid form or bundles, in conjunction with the properties of the focusing lens, may determine the beam pattern in the far field. The shape of the input end of the solid form may be configured to act as a collector element to receive light from a light source. A reflector may also be used to control the beam pattern. A lens may be moved to shift the hot spot of the beam between high beam and low beam positions.
A diffraction grating may be used to control the beam pattern of the headlamp or other lighting functions, such as stop lights and turn signals. The diffraction grating may include essentially transparent material that has a series of ridges on its surface. The width of the ridges may be approximately equal to the wavelength of the light produced by the light source. A portion of the light passing through the diffraction grating may be reflected back into the light source, depending upon the exit angle of the light ray. Most of the light travelling in a direction close to perpendicular may pass through the grating undisturbed. The grating may be used alone or in conjunction with lenses, solid forms or fiber bundles to provide a desired headlamp beam pattern.
The light source of the hybrid headlamp subsystem may act as a light source for other parts of the system. Waveguides having collector elements at their ends may be positioned close to the light source to receive light and transmit the light to other locations in the vehicle, such as to provide turn signals, interior lighting, fog lights, or side markers. The waveguides may also carry light to other lighting subsystems to provide redundancy, such as the opposite side headlamp or the tail lights. The number of collector elements may be increased as necessary to supply light to other lighting functions. The collector elements may be glass rods (such as Pyrex™ rods) with ends that are polished so as to be faceted or pinched to increase the acceptance angle of the collector element.
A waveguide may carry light from the headlamp subsystem light source to a side marker light. The waveguide may include colored plastic filters to provide a desired output color (e.g., amber) for the side marker. Another waveguide may provides light to the turn signal subsystem. The turn signal subsystem may include an independent light source and may use the input from the headlamp subsystem for redundancy.
The turn signal subsystem may use an electro-mechanical shutter or a liquid crystal li
Cooper Automotive Products, Inc.
Husar Stephen
Negron Ismael
Reising Ethington, Barnes, Kisselle, Learman & McCulloch, P.C.
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