Optical wave guided daytime running lights
AssigneeContinental Automotive Systems, Inc.
InventorsApolo Zeus Escudero-Uribe, Christian Javier Enriquez-Cervantes, Alejandro Hernandez Gonzalez-Barcena
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A vehicle lamp includes a lens that has spaced apart first and second surfaces that extend to terminate at an edge. The first surface provides an exterior face of the lamp. The second surface provides an interior that contains the edge. The edge is oriented to supply a reflected light from the exterior face back through the exterior face. A light is arranged near the first surface opposite the interior. The light is configured to selectively shine light into the lens from outside the interior and supplement the reflected light.
Claims20
A vehicle lamp comprising:
- a lens having spaced apart first and second surfaces that extend to terminate at an edge, the first surface providing an exterior face of the lamp, and the second surface providing an interior cavity containing the edge, the edge oriented to supply a reflected light from the exterior face back through the exterior face;
- and
- a light source arranged near the first surface opposite the interior cavity, the source light configured to selectively shine light into the lens from outside of the interior cavity and supplement the reflected light.
A vehicle lighting system comprising:
- at least one of a switch and a sensor;
- a lens having spaced apart first and second surfaces that extend to terminate at an edge, the first surface providing an exterior face of the lamp, and the second surface providing an interior cavity containing the edge, the edge oriented to supply a reflected light from the exterior face back through the exterior face;
- a light source arranged near the first surface opposite the interior cavity, the light source configured to selectively shine light into the lens from outside of the interior cavity and supplement the reflected light;
- and
- a controller in communication with the light source and the at least one switch and the sensor, the controller configured to send a command to the light source to activate the light source and supplement the reflected light.
A method of providing vehicle lighting, comprising the steps of:
- providing a lens having spaced apart first and second surfaces that extend to terminate at an edge, the first surface providing an exterior face of the lamp, and the second surface providing an interior cavity containing the edge oriented toward the exterior face;
- and
- reflecting a light from the exterior face and between the first and second surfaces to the edge and back through the exterior face.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.