Optical waveguide with a reflective pattern for propagating a light beam
First Claim
1. An optical waveguide for the propagation of a light beam comprising:
- an output face through which said light beam is refracted; and
a support face for a pattern extending across a main direction of said light beam to divert said light beam towards said output face, wherein said pattern is a bifunctional reflective pattern in that it combines focused reflection of said light beam towards said output face with multidirectional reflection of said light beam, said bifunctional reflective pattern being integral with said support face and comprising elements having three portions including a pair of conic end portions between which there is interposed an intermediate portion that comprises a pair of facets that meet at a top edge, said top edge connecting apexes of said conic end portions, said conic end portions having like apex angles and respective bases at said support face so that said top edge of said intermediate portion is inclined relative to said support face, wherein said pair of facets are non-parallel to each other along the support face.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An optical waveguide for the propagation of a light beam adapted to travel by successive total reflections off the faces of the waveguide to an output face where the light beam is refracted. One of the faces of the waveguide forms, facing towards the output face, a support face for a pattern extending across the main direction of the beam to divert same towards the output face. According to a characterizing feature of the invention, the pattern is a bifunctional reflective pattern that is integral with the support face, having three portions including end portions formed by cone portions between which there is interposed an intermediate portion that comprises two facets that meet at a top edge, which is not parallel to the support face for the patterns.
78 Citations
22 Claims
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1. An optical waveguide for the propagation of a light beam comprising:
- an output face through which said light beam is refracted; and
a support face for a pattern extending across a main direction of said light beam to divert said light beam towards said output face, wherein said pattern is a bifunctional reflective pattern in that it combines focused reflection of said light beam towards said output face with multidirectional reflection of said light beam, said bifunctional reflective pattern being integral with said support face and comprising elements having three portions including a pair of conic end portions between which there is interposed an intermediate portion that comprises a pair of facets that meet at a top edge, said top edge connecting apexes of said conic end portions, said conic end portions having like apex angles and respective bases at said support face so that said top edge of said intermediate portion is inclined relative to said support face, wherein said pair of facets are non-parallel to each other along the support face. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 19, 20, 21, 22)
- an output face through which said light beam is refracted; and
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10. A lighting device for a motor vehicle comprising:
- a cover lens, a light source, an optical waveguide for the propagation of a light beam, the optical waveguide comprising;
an output face through which said light beam is refracted; and
a support face for a pattern extending across a main direction of said light beam to divert said light beam towards said output face, wherein said pattern is a bifunctional reflective pattern in that it combines focused reflection of said light beam towards said output face with multidirectional reflection of said light beam, said bifunctional reflective pattern being integral with said support face and comprising elements having three portions including a pair of conic end portions between which there is interposed an intermediate portion that comprises a pair of facets that meet at a top edge, said top edge connecting apexes of said conic end portions, said conic end portions having like apex angles and respective bases at said support face so that said top edge of said intermediate portion is inclined relative to said support face;
wherein said pair of facets are non-parallel to each other along the support face;
wherein said optical waveguide, being smooth and continuous, is disposed facing towards said cover lens, and in which said support face extends parallel to said output face. - View Dependent Claims (11)
- a cover lens, a light source, an optical waveguide for the propagation of a light beam, the optical waveguide comprising;
- 12. An optical waveguide for use with a lighting device for a motor vehicle, said optical waveguide comprising an output face which is smooth and continuous, disposed facing towards a cover lens, and in which a support face extends parallel to the output face, the support face differing from the output face in that the support face includes a bifunctional reflective pattern of elements having three portions including a pair of conic end portions between which there is interposed an intermediate portion having plane or curved faces meeting at a top edge, said top edge connecting apexes of said conic end portions, said conic end portions having like apex angles and respective bases at said support face so that said top edge of said intermediate portion is inclined relative to said support face, wherein said pair of faces are non-parallel to each other along the support face.
Specification