Fiber optic lighting system using conventional headlamp structures
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsJohn M. Davenport, Richard L. Hansler
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A lighting system particularly suited for an automotive application in which it is desired to utilize a central light source and couple the light output therefrom to a headlamp assembly having a number of conventional components includes introducing an output end of a light guide to the reflector assembly in place of an incandescent lamp, and disposing a mirror at the output end of the light guide to reflect light onto a conventional parabolic reflector. The mirror is preferably planar and serves to direct the light from the output end of the light guide to the parabolic reflector for collimation thereby and subsequent passage through a conventional lens member.
Claims16
A lighting system for transmitting light output from a light source to a location remote therefrom, comprising:
- an elongated optical light guide receiving light from the light source and distributing the light to an output end thereof at such remote location;
- an assembly receiving the light from the light guide output end and focusing the light in a predetermined pattern, the assembly including (i) a mirror receiving the light from the output end of the light guide and re-directing the light toward a desired location, (ii) a curved reflecting surface receiving the light from the mirror and having a focal point spaced from the output end, and (iii) a lens receiving the light from the reflecting surface and producing the predetermined pattern;
- and
- wherein the mirror includes first and second planar mirrored surfaces disposed at an angle relative to one another.
A lighting system for transmitting light output from a light source to a location remote therefrom, comprising:
- at least one light guide having an input end receiving light from the light source and transmitting the light to an output end at such remote location;
- a parabolic reflector receiving the light from the output end of the light guide and reflecting the light in a direction generally parallel with an axis of the parabolic reflector;
- a reflective surface interposed between the output end of the light guide and the parabolic reflector for directing the light onto the parabolic reflector, the reflective surface forming an image of the output end of the light guide at substantially the same location as the focal point of the parabolic mirror;
- a lens for receiving the light from the parabolic reflector and directing the light in a predetermined pattern;
- and
- wherein the mirror includes first and second mirrors angularly disposed relative to one another for reflecting the light onto opposite halves of the parabolic reflector.
A lighting system for transmitting light output from a light source to a location remote therefrom, comprising:
- an elongated optical light guide receiving light from the light source and distributing the light to an output end thereof at such remote location;
- an assembly receiving the light from the light guide output end and focusing the light in a predetermined pattern, the assembly including (i) a mirror receiving the light from the output end of the light guide and re-directing the light toward a desired location, (ii) a curved reflecting surface receiving the light from the mirror and having a focal point spaced from the output end, and (iii) a lens receiving the light from the reflecting surface and producing the predetermined pattern;
- and
- wherein the mirror is defined by a rod end having four mutually perpendicular surfaces for dividing the light from the light source into four portions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.