Vehicle lighting and signaling device having a lens with at least one coupler
AssigneeValeo North America, Inc.
InventorMichael Jason Kratoska
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A lighting and signaling device having a lamp assembly is shown. The lamp assembly comprises a housing for supporting a head lamp and a primary light source for generating a primary light beam. The lamp assembly also includes a lens having at least one or a plurality of couplers coupled to or integrally formed in the lens. The at least one or plurality of couplers contributes light received from an at least one or a plurality of light sources to improve the light distribution pattern, such as a visibility angle of the primary light beam, which could be, for example, a signal.
Claims20
A lens for a lighting device for a vehicle, said lens comprising:
- a lens body having an exit area, said lens body adapted to cover a primary light source associated with one of a headlamp, a rear lamp, and a tail lamp;
- and
- at least one coupler including an input face and adapted to receive light from at least one coupler light source, different from the primary light source, and introduce said light into said lens body so that said light passes through said lens body and exits said exit area, the input face facing an exit face of the coupler light source, wherein
- said at least one coupler comprises a variable cross section that decreases from said input face of said at least one coupler toward said exit area of said lens body.
A lamp assembly for use on a vehicle, said lamp assembly comprising:
- at least one bezel or housing adapted to house at least one first light source associated with one of a headlamp, a rear lamp, and a tail lamp for generating a first beam;
- and
- a lens comprising:
- a lens body having an exit area, said lens body adapted to cover the first light source associated with the one of the headlamp, the rear lamp, and the tail lamp, and
- at least one coupler including an input face and adapted to receive light from at least one coupler light source, different from the first light source, and introduce said light into said lens body so that said light passes through said lens body and exits said exit area, the input face facing an exit face of the coupler light source, wherein
- said at least one coupler comprises a variable cross section that decreases from said input face of said at least one coupler toward said exit area of said lens body, and
- said at least one coupler increases or contributes light received from said at least one coupler light source to said first beam in order to increase an angular visibility thereof.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.