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US 9,316,376 B2Granted
Lighting and/or signaling device having improved light efficiency and dual color function
AssigneeValeo North America, Inc.
InventorsJohn Steven Orisich, Brant James Potter, Matthew James Berry
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for producing light signals in a vehicle. The same physical apparatus produces light signals of two different colors. Light emitting diodes (LEDs) of two different colors produce diverging light rays. These rays are captured by a transparent plate and conducted to an edge of the plate, which reflects and collimates the light into parallel beams. The parallel beams then reach an elongated lens running along another edge of the plate, which focuses, or de-focuses, the light and transmits it externally as a signal.
Claims21
A lighting assembly for a vehicle, comprising:
- a light guide having a generally planar or sheet portion and a lens, said generally planar or sheet portion having an input face or edge and a reflective edge for reflecting light towards an exit surface or face of a lens;
- at least one light source for transmitting light, said at least one light source being operatively positioned relative to said input face or edge and transmitting light into said generally planar or sheet portion for reflection by said reflective edge toward said exit surface or face of said lens;
- and
- said reflective edge of said light guide comprising a plurality of flutes or facets for controlling a spread and distribution of said light transmitted by said at least one light source, each of said plurality of flutes or facets being integrally formed in said reflective edge and are generally U-shaped and directed inward toward an interior of said generally planar or sheet portion and direct light from said input face or edge to said lens;
- wherein said reflecting edge is generally parabolic and each of said plurality of flutes or facets are convex with respect to said input face or edge.
2 more elements
A lighting assembly for a vehicle, comprising:
- a light guide having a generally planar or sheet portion and a lens, said generally planar or sheet portion having an input face or edge and a reflective edge for reflecting light towards an exit surface or face of a lens;
- at least one light source for transmitting light, said at least one light source being operatively positioned relative to said input face or edge and transmitting light into said generally planar or sheet portion for reflection by said reflective edge toward said exit surface or face of said lens;
- and
- said reflective edge of said light guide comprising a plurality of flutes or facets for controlling a spread and distribution of said light transmitted by said at least one light source, each of said plurality of flutes or facets being integrally formed in said reflective edge and are generally U-shaped and directed inward toward an interior of said generally planar or sheet portion and direct light from said input face or edge to said lens;
- wherein said reflective edge comprises said plurality of flutes or facets and reflects said light toward said exit surface or face of said lens;
- wherein said reflecting edge is generally parabolic and each of said plurality of flutes or facets are convex with respect to said input face or edge.
3 more elements
A lighting assembly for a vehicle, comprising:
- a light guide having a generally planar or sheet portion and a lens, said generally planar or sheet portion having an input face or edge and a reflective edge for reflecting light towards an exit surface or face of a lens;
- at least one light source for transmitting light, said at least one light source being operatively positioned relative to said input face or edge and transmitting light into said generally planar or sheet portion for reflection by said reflective edge toward said exit surface or face of said lens;
- and
- said reflective edge of said light guide comprising a plurality of flutes or facets for controlling a spread and distribution of said light transmitted by said at least one light source, each of said plurality of flutes or facets being integrally formed in said reflective edge and are generally U-shaped and directed inward toward an interior of said generally planar or sheet portion and direct light from said input face or edge to said lens;
- wherein said lighting assembly comprises a plurality of light sources for producing a plurality of colors selected to perform a plurality of different functions, respectively, each of said plurality of light sources being energized independently to cause said light guide to perform a plurality of different functions, respectively;
- wherein said reflecting edge is generally parabolic and each of said plurality of flutes or facets are convex with respect to said input face or edge.
3 more elements
A lighting assembly for a vehicle, comprising:
- a light guide having a generally planar or sheet portion and a lens, said generally planar or sheet portion having an input face or edge and a reflective edge for reflecting light towards an exit surface or face of a lens;
- at least one light source for transmitting light, said at least one light source being operatively positioned relative to said input face or edge and transmitting light into said generally planar or sheet portion for reflection by said reflective edge toward said exit surface or face of said lens;
- and
- said reflective edge of said light guide comprising a plurality of flutes or facets for controlling a spread and distribution of said light transmitted by said at least one light source, each of said plurality of flutes or facets being integrally formed in said reflective edge and are generally U-shaped and directed inward toward an interior of said generally planar or sheet portion and direct light from said input face or edge to said lens;
- wherein said plurality of flutes or facets are aligned along a generally parabolic curve.
2 more elements
A lighting assembly for a vehicle, comprising:
- a light guide having a generally planar or sheet portion and a lens, said generally planar or sheet portion having an input face or edge and a reflective edge for reflecting light towards an exit surface or face of a lens;
- at least one light source for transmitting light, said at least one light source being operatively positioned relative to said input face or edge and transmitting light into said generally planar or sheet portion for reflection by said reflective edge toward said exit surface or face of said lens;
- and
- said reflective edge of said light guide comprising a plurality of flutes or facets for controlling a spread and distribution of said light transmitted by said at least one light source, each of said plurality of flutes or facets being integrally formed in said reflective edge and are generally U-shaped and directed inward toward an interior of said generally planar or sheet portion and direct light from said input face or edge to said lens;
- wherein said lens comprises an internal wall defining an aperture, at least a portion of said internal wall comprising said plurality of flutes or facets which define a plurality of lenses within a light path of light rays generated by said at least one light source.
2 more elements
A lighting assembly for a vehicle, comprising:
- a light guide having a generally planar or sheet portion and a lens, said generally planar or sheet portion having an input face or edge and a reflective edge for reflecting light towards an exit surface or face of a lens;
- at least one light source for transmitting light, said at least one light source being operatively positioned relative to said input face or edge and transmitting light into said generally planar or sheet portion for reflection by said reflective edge toward said exit surface or face of said lens;
- and
- said reflective edge of said light guide comprising a plurality of flutes or facets for controlling a spread and distribution of said light transmitted by said at least one light source, each of said plurality of flutes or facets being integrally formed in said reflective edge and are generally U-shaped and directed inward toward an interior of said generally planar or sheet portion and direct light from said input face or edge to said lens;
- wherein said lighting assembly comprises a plurality of light sources for producing a plurality of colors selected to perform a plurality of different functions, respectively, each of said plurality of light sources being energized independently to cause said light guide to perform a plurality of different functions, respectively;
- wherein said lens comprises an internal wall defining an aperture, at least a portion of said internal wall comprising said plurality of flutes or facets which define a plurality of lenses within a light path of light rays generated by said plurality of light sources.
3 more elements
A lighting assembly for a vehicle, comprising:
- a light guide having a generally planar or sheet portion and a lens, said generally planar or sheet portion having an input face or edge and a reflective edge for reflecting light towards an exit surface or face of a lens;
- at least one light source for transmitting light, said at least one light source being operatively positioned relative to said input face or edge and transmitting light into said generally planar or sheet portion for reflection by said reflective edge toward said exit surface or face of said lens;
- and
- said reflective edge of said light guide comprising a plurality of flutes or facets for controlling a spread and distribution of said light transmitted by said at least one light source, each of said plurality of flutes or facets being integrally formed in said reflective edge and are generally U-shaped and directed inward toward an interior of said generally planar or sheet portion and direct light from said input face or edge to said lens;
- wherein said plurality of flutes or facets are located on said exit surface or face of said lens and define a plurality of lenses within a light path of light rays generated by said at least one light source.
2 more elements
A lighting assembly for a vehicle, comprising:
- a light guide having a generally planar or sheet portion and a lens, said generally planar or sheet portion having an input face or edge and a reflective edge for reflecting light towards an exit surface or face of a lens;
- at least one light source for transmitting light, said at least one light source being operatively positioned relative to said input face or edge and transmitting light into said generally planar or sheet portion for reflection by said reflective edge toward said exit surface or face of said lens;
- and
- said reflective edge of said light guide comprising a plurality of flutes or facets for controlling a spread and distribution of said light transmitted by said at least one light source, each of said plurality of flutes or facets being integrally formed in said reflective edge and are generally U-shaped and directed inward toward an interior of said generally planar or sheet portion and direct light from said input face or edge to said lens;
- wherein said lighting assembly comprises a plurality of light sources for producing a plurality of colors selected to perform a plurality of different functions, respectively, each of said plurality of light sources being energized independently to cause said light guide to perform a plurality of different functions, respectively;
- wherein said plurality of flutes or facets are located on said exit surface or face of said lens and define a plurality of lenses within a light path of light rays generated by said plurality of light sources.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.