Illumination – Supported by vehicle structure – Light modifier
Reexamination Certificate
1998-07-02
2001-02-13
O'Shea, Sandra (Department: 2875)
Illumination
Supported by vehicle structure
Light modifier
C362S459000, C362S487000, C362S507000, C362S509000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06186650
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
The invention relates to distributed lighting systems.
Distributed lighting systems distribute light from one or more light sources in central or strategic 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 Hulse and Mullican in “Analysis of Waveguide Geometries at Bends and Branches for the Directing of Light,” SAE Technical Paper Series, Paper No. 981189, which are incorporated herein by reference.
A practical distributed lighting system for an automobile must address size, efficiency, and reliability issues. To this end, such a system may employ 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 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, assist grips, storage pockets, step-up boards and running boards.
In one aspect, generally, a vehicle headlamp includes a beamforming waveguide formed from a block of solid material. The waveguide has an input face, an output face, and a guide portion extending between the input face and the output face. A light source is positioned at the input face of the beamforming waveguide. A lens is positioned at the output face so that light output by the beamforming waveguide passes through the lens to provide vehicle forward illumination.
Embodiments may include one or more of the following features. The guide portion may have a uniform cross-section along a length of the guide portion from the input face to the output face. The guide portion may include a top surface having a first stepped portion that forms a thickness profile to control an output beam pattern of the waveguide. The guide portion also may include a second stepped portion and an inclined portion that forms a transition between the first stepped portion and the second stepped portion. The input and output faces of the waveguide may be planar surfaces and the stepped portions may be perpendicular to the input face and the output face.
The guide portion also may include a planar bottom surface. Two planar side surfaces may extend between the bottom surface and the top surface. The side surfaces may be perpendicular to the bottom surface. The stepped portion may be parallel to the bottom surface. Ridges may be formed on the surface of the lens to limit an exit angle of light passing through the lens.
A reflector may be positioned between the output face and the lens, or may be positioned between the light source and the input face so that light from the light source reflects from the reflector and enters the input face.
In another aspect, a beamforming waveguide for a vehicle headlamp is formed from a solid block of material and has an input face, an output face, and a guide portion extending between the input face and the output face. The guide portion includes a top surface having a first stepped portion that forms a thickness profile to control an output beam pattern of the waveguide. The guide portion further includes a second stepped portion and an inclined portion that forms a transition between the first stepped portion and the second stepped portion.
Embodiments may include one or more of the following features. The guide portion may have a uniform cross-section along a length of the guide portion from the input face to the output face. The guide portion also may include a planar bottom surface and two planar side surfaces extending between the bottom surface and the top surface. The side surfaces may be perpendicular to the bottom surface. The first and second stepped portions may be parallel to the bottom surface.
In another aspect, a vehicle headlamp includes a beamforming waveguide formed from a bundle of optical conduits. The waveguide has an input face, an output face, and a guide portion extending between the input face and the output face. A light source is positioned at the input face of the beamforming waveguide. A lens is positioned at the output face so that light output by the beamforming waveguide passes through the lens to provide vehicle forward illumination.
In another aspect, a vehicle headlamp includes a light source configured to produce light. A lens allows a portion of the light to pass through the lens to produce a headlamp beam. A beamforming wedge moves between a first position and a second position. The wedge is formed from a piece of solid material. An actuator moves the wedge between the first position for producing a low beam and the second position for producing a high beam.
Embodiments may include one or more of the following features. In the first position, the wedge may be positioned in an area between the lens and the light source, and in the second position, the wedge may be essentially removed from the area between the lens and the light source. The wedge may have a triangular cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the lens. The wedge may have a low beam portion and a high beam portion.
In the first position, the low beam portion of the wedge may be positioned in an area between the lens and the light source, and in the second position, the high beam area of the wedge may be positioned in the area between the lens and the light source. The high beam portion may vary in thickness across a surface thereof to produce a desired beam pattern. The high beam portion may have facets on a surface thereof to produce a desired beam pattern.
Other features and advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description, including the drawings, and from the claims.
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Bucher Lloyd Keith
Hulse George R.
Cooper Automotive Products, Inc.
Negron Ismael
O'Shea Sandra
Reising Ethington, Barnes, Kisselle, Learman & McCulloch, P.C.
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