Light, especially tail light, for a motor vehicle

Details Light, especially tail light, for a motor vehicle Light, especially tail light, for a motor vehicle

1999-04-26

2001-03-06

Quach, Y. (Department: 2875)

Illumination

Light source and modifier

Condition responsive

C362S096000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06196704

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a light, preferably a tail light, for motor vehicles, comprising a light disc behind which at least one light source is arranged.
In known tail lights of the aforementioned kind its soiling has a direct effect on its illumination function. When the tail light is soiled by dust, rain etc., the light output of the light arrangement is reduced. It may even be so minimal that the light arrangement can no longer be detected by the driver of a following vehicle. Since the illumination function of such a light arrangement is important for the safety of the passengers of the motor vehicle, it is of greatest importance that the light arrangement is easibly detectable, respectively, that the light emitted by it has its full intensity.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a light arrangement of the aforementioned kind that is able to detect reliably and completely at least a great degree of soiling of the light disc.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This object is solved for the light arrangement of the aforementioned kind such that for detecting the degree of soiling of the light disc at least one emitter and at least one receiver are provided, whereby the receiver detects the light signal emitted by the emitter and whereby the light signal travels through the light disc by total reflection from the emitter to the receiver.
Due to the inventive embodiment, the receiver can detect based on the amount of light received, the degree of soiling of the light disc. The degree of soiling of the light disc has a direct effect on the effective light output of the light arrangement. When a certain degree of soiling is surpassed, it is possible to clean the light disc with an automatic cleaning device or to indicate to the driver by a signaling device that there is a safety risk so that driver can then activate a cleaning device.


REFERENCES:
patent: 3609450 (1971-09-01), Hart
patent: 3913840 (1975-10-01), Kato
patent: 4871917 (1989-10-01), O'Farrell et al.

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