Optical waveguide structures
AssigneeFederal-Mogul World Wide, Inc.
InventorsGeorge R. Hulse, James Burr Anderson JR.
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An optical waveguide structure for distributing light from a light source includes a cylindrical sleeve configured to accommodate and receive light from the light source. The sleeve includes a central axis. A waveguide collar is formed from a solid, planar block of material. The block of material has a central portion configured to accommodate and surround the sleeve. The first and second output arms extend in a plane away from the central portion. The plane is substantially perpendicular to the central axis.
Claims28
An optical waveguide structure for distributing light from a light source, the structure comprising:
- a cylindrical sleeve configured to accommodate and receive light from a light source, the sleeve including a central axis, and
- a waveguide collar formed from a solid, planar block of material, the block of material having:
- a central portion configured to accommodate and surround the sleeve, and
- first and second output arms extending in a plane away from the central portion, the plane being substantially perpendicular to the central axis.
A waveguide collar for distributing light from a light source, the collar comprising a solid, planar block of material, the block of material having:
- a central portion configured to accommodate a light source, the central portion surrounding the light source in a plane, and
- first and second output arms extending in the plane away from the central portion,
- wherein a thickness of the central portion in a direction perpendicular to the plane is less than a thickness of the output arms in the direction perpendicular to the plane.
A waveguide collar for distributing light from a light source, the collar comprising a solid, planar block of material, the block of material having:
- a hub defining an interior portion configured to accommodate a light source, the hub having side surfaces on an exterior portion thereof,
- alignment notches positioned on the side surfaces, the notches being configured to receive an alignment tab of a waveguide, and
- rim portions extending around the interior portion of the hub, the rim portions positioned to define gaps, the gaps being configured to accommodate locking tabs of a lamp base.
A waveguide collar for distributing light from a light source, the collar comprising a solid, planar block of material, the block of material having:
- a central portion configured to accommodate a light source, the central portion surrounding the light source in a plane,
- first and second output arms extending in a plane away from the central portion, the sides of the first and second output arms curving inward toward the central portion to form first and second vertices where the first and second arms meet, and
- a lens formed on an edge of the waveguide collar, the lens being configured to receive light from the light source, focus a portion of the light, and transmit the portion of the light away from the collar.
An optical waveguide comprising first and second pieces of solid material, the first piece having:
- a transmission portion having a rectangular cross-section,
- an end of the transmission portion that is convex in one dimension;
- and the second piece having:
- a transmission portion having a rectangular cross-section, and
- an end of the transmission portion that is concave in one dimension,
- wherein the end of the first piece and the end of the second piece form an interface between the first piece and the second piece.
An optical waveguide for accepting light from a light source and transmitting the light, the waveguide comprising a piece of solid material having:
- an input face,
- a transmission portion, and
- an end portion between the input face and the transmission portion,
- wherein a cross-sectional area of the end portion gradually decreases from the transmission portion to the input face.
An optical waveguide having integrated installation elements, the waveguide comprising first and second sections, the first section comprising:
- an input face,
- an output end,
- a transmission portion extending from the input face to the output end, and
- a key positioned on the output end and configured to mate with a socket of the second section;
- the second section comprising:
- an input face,
- an output end,
- a transmission portion extending from the input face to the output end, and
- a socket positioned on the output end and configured to mate with a key of the first section.
An optical waveguide having integrated installation elements, the waveguide comprising first and second sections, the first section comprising:
- an input face,
- an output end,
- a transmission portion extending from the input face to the output end, and
- a claw positioned on the output end and configured to mate with a detent of the second section;
- the second section comprising:
- an input face,
- an output end,
- a transmission portion extending from the input face to the output end, and
- a detent positioned near the output end and configured to mate with the claw of the first section.
An optical waveguide having an output element for providing illumination in a vehicle, the waveguide comprising:
- an input face,
- a transmission portion extending from the input face,
- wherein the transmission portion widens at an end to form an output element having a convex lens at an end of the output element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.