# US 10,119,672 B2 · Bundle entry weave for lighting modules > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,119,672 B2 - Document ID: US10119672B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/335,676 - Filed: 2016-10-27 - Published: 2018-05-03 - Granted: 2018-11-06 - Earliest claimed: 2016-10-27 - Assignees: Valeo North America, Inc. - Applicants: Valeo North America, Inc. - Inventors: Patton Davis Baker - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10119672B2 ## CPC - F21S 43/236: characterised by the shape of the light guide - B60Q 1/34: for indicating change of drive direction (B60Q1/22 takes precedence) - F21S 43/241: of complex shape - F21S 43/245: emitting light from one or more of its major surfaces - F21S 43/247: with a single light source being coupled into the light guide - F21S 43/249: with two or more light sources being coupled into the light guide - F21S 43/50: characterised by aesthetic components not otherwise provided for, e.g. decorative trim, partition walls or covers - G02B 6/0006: {Coupling light into the fibre (in general G02B6/4298)} - G02B 6/0086: {Positioning aspects} - G02B 6/3604: {Rotary joints allowing relative rotational movement between opposing fibre or fibre bundle ends} - G02B 6/3608: {Fibre wiring boards, i.e. where fibres are embedded or attached in a pattern on or to a substrate, e.g. flexible sheets (optical ribbon cables in support members G02B6/4401)} - G02B 6/001: {the light being emitted along at least a portion of the lateral surface of the fibre} - G02B 6/0028: {Light guide, e.g. taper} - G02B 6/0065: {Manufacturing aspects; Material aspects} - G02B 6/0095: {Light guides as housings, housing portions, shelves, doors, tiles, windows, or the like} - F21S: NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS - B60Q: ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS ## Abstract A fiber optic lighting module is disclosed that includes a set of fiber optic light panels wherein the optical fibers extending from a first fiber panel are interwoven with the optical fibers extending from a second fiber panel. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A fiber optic lighting module, comprising: a first fiber panel having a plurality of optical fibers arranged in a predetermined form and having at least some of the plurality of optical fibers extending outwardly from a light input edge of the first fiber panel to couple to a first light source; a second fiber panel having a plurality of optical fibers arranged in a predetermined form and having at least some of the plurality of optical fibers extending outwardly from a light input edge of the second fiber panel to couple to a second light source; and a transition region wherein the optical fibers extending from the first fiber panel are interwoven with the optical fibers extending from the second fiber panel such that the light input edge of the first fiber panel and the light input edge of the second fiber panel are positioned in proximity to one another, wherein the first fiber panel and the second fiber panel are mounted proximate to each other on a hinged fixture to interweave the optical fibers, and wherein the plurality of optical fibers from each fiber panel is directed in the same direction. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The fiber optic lighting module of claim 1, additionally comprising: a first bundling element to bundle together ends of the optical fibers extending from the light input edge of the first fiber panel; and a second bundling element to bundle together the ends of the optical fibers extending from the light input edge of the second fiber panel. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The fiber optic lighting module of claim 2, wherein the first light source is coupled into a bundled end of the optical fibers extending from the light input edge of the first fiber panel and the second light source is coupled into a bundled end of the optical fibers extending from the light input edge of the second fiber panel. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The fiber optic lighting module of claim 1, wherein the first light source and the second light source each include a solid state light emitter. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The fiber optic lighting module of claim 2, wherein the first bundling element and the second bundling element each include a ferrule configured to hold the optical fibers extending from each corresponding fiber panel in a bundle having a predetermined cross-sectional shape. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The fiber optic lighting module of claim 2, wherein the first bundling element and the second bundling element comprise adhesive configured to hold the optical fibers extending from each corresponding fiber panel in a bundle having a predetermined cross-sectional shape. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The fiber optic lighting module of claim 1, wherein each optical fiber extending from the light input edge of the first fiber panel is interwoven with one optical fiber extending from the light input edge of the second fiber panel. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The fiber optic lighting module of claim 1, wherein each optical fiber extending from the light input edge of the first fiber panel is interwoven with two or more optical fibers extending from the light input edge of the second fiber panel. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The fiber optic lighting module of claim 1, wherein each group of two or more optical fibers extending from the light input edge of the first fiber panel is interwoven with two or more optical fibers extending from the light input edge of the second fiber panel. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The fiber optic lighting module of claim 1, wherein the light input edge of the first fiber panel and the light input edge of the second fiber panel are positioned within 5 mm of one another. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The fiber optic lighting module of claim 1, wherein the light input edge of the first fiber panel and the light input edge of the second fiber panel are positioned within 2 mm of one another. ### Claim 12 A method of manufacturing a fiber optic lighting module, comprising: providing a first fiber panel having a front face, a back face, and a plurality of optical fibers arranged in a predetermined form and having at least some of the plurality of optical fibers extending outwardly from one edge of the first fiber panel; providing a second fiber panel having a front face, a back face, and plurality of optical fibers arranged in a predetermined form and having at least some of the plurality of optical fibers extending outwardly from one edge the second fiber panel; mounting the first fiber panel and the second fiber panel in a hinged fixture that holds the fiber panels with their front faces parallel and in proximity and with the plurality of optical fibers from each fiber panel directed in the same direction; unfolding the fixture along a hinge line such that the plurality of optical fibers of the first fiber panel interweave with the plurality of optical fibers of the second fiber panel until the first fiber panel and the second fiber panel are coplanar; applying a first bundling element to bundle together the ends of the optical fibers extending from the first fiber panel; applying a second bundling element to bundle together the ends of the optical fibers extending from the second fiber panel; attaching a first light source to a bundled end of the optical fibers extending from the first fiber panel; and attaching a second light source to a bundled end of the optical fibers extending from the second fiber panel. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the first light source and the second light source each include a solid state light emitter. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the first bundling element and the second bundling element each include a ferrule configured to hold the optical fibers extending from each corresponding fiber panel in a bundle having a predetermined cross-sectional shape. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the first bundling element and the second bundling element comprise adhesive configured to hold the optical fibers extending from each corresponding fiber panel in a bundle having a predetermined cross-sectional shape. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein each optical fiber extending from the first fiber panel is interwoven with one optical fiber extending from the second fiber panel. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein each optical fiber extending from the first fiber panel is interwoven with two or more optical fibers extending from the second fiber panel. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein each group of two or more optical fibers extending from the first fiber panel is interwoven with two or more optical fibers extending from the second fiber panel. ### Claim 19 A vehicle taillight assembly comprising: a taillight housing mountable on a rear corner of a vehicle; a first fiber panel, mountable in the taillight housing, having a plurality of optical fibers arranged in a predetermined form and having at least some of the plurality of optical fibers extending outwardly from a light input edge of the first fiber panel to couple to a first light source; a second fiber panel, mountable in the taillight housing, having a plurality of optical fibers arranged in a predetermined form and having at least some of the plurality of optical fibers extending outwardly from a light input edge the second fiber panel to couple to a second light source; and a transition region wherein the optical fibers extending from the first fiber panel are interwoven with the optical fibers extending from the second fiber panel, wherein the first light source and the second light source are mountable in an outboard location in the taillight housing such that light from the first light source and the second light source is directed toward an inboard location in the taillight housing, and wherein the first fiber panel and the second fiber panel are mounted proximate to each other on a hinged fixture to interweave the optical fibers, and wherein the plurality of optical fibers from each fiber panel is directed in the same direction. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The vehicle taillight assembly of claim 19, wherein each optical fiber extending from the light input edge of the first fiber panel is interwoven with two or more optical fibers extending from the light input edge of the second fiber panel.