STACKED LIGHTGUIDE TAILIGHT ARTICLE

• US 20150316227A1
• Filed: 12/11/2013
• Published: 11/05/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Sahlin, Jennifer J., Schnobrich, Scott M., Larsen, Jeremy K., Griffin, Michael E., Hao, Bing, Vick, Karl A., Ender, David A.
• Application Number:
  US14/649,572
• Publication Number:
  US 20150316227A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0058 Stacked, i.e. one lamp located behind the other in the optical axis direction
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2607 comprising at least two indicating lamps
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2615 mounted on the vehicle body, e.g. with magnets
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/30 for indicating rear of vehicle, e.g. by means of reflecting surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/44 for indicating braking action or preparation for braking, e.g. by detection of the foot approaching the brake pedal
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/14 Light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/235 Light guides
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/239 plate-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/245 emitting light from one or more of its major surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/247 with a single light source being coupled into the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/249 with two or more light sources being coupled into the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/33 characterised by their material, surface treatment or coatings
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0036 2-D arrangement of prisms, protrusions, indentations or roughened surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0076 Stacked arrangements of multiple light guides of the same or different cross-sectional area

Abstract

A taillight article (100) including at least two optically clear light guides (110, 130) stacked on each other to provide vehicle signal function is described. The taillight article comprises a first optically clear light guide (110) having a light emission front surface (112) and an opposing rear surface (114) and a side surface (118) separating the front surface (112) and the rear surface (114), and a plurality of light extraction features (116) on or within the first optically clear light guide (110), the light extraction features (116) configured to direct light out through the emission surface (112); a second optically clear light guide (130) having an light emission front surface (132) and an opposing rear surface (134) and a side surface (138) separating the front surface (132) and the rear surface (134) and a plurality of light extraction features (136) on or within the second optically clear light guide (130), the light extraction features (136) configured to direct light out through the emission surface (132) a first low index layer (150) separating the rear surface (114) of the first optically clear light guide (110) from the front surface (132) of the second optically clear light guide (130), the first low index layer (150) having an index of refraction being less than an index of refraction of the first optically clear light guide (110) and the second optically clear light guide (130); a first light source (120) configured to direct light into the side surface (118) of the first optically clear light guide (110), the first light source (120) indicating a first signal function; a second light source (140) configured to direct light into the side surface of the second optically clear light guide (130), the second light source (140) indicating a second signal function; and a light reflection element (160), where the second optically clear light guide (130) is disposed between the first optically clear light guide (110) and the light reflection element (160).

Claims

1. A taillight article comprising:

a first optically clear light guide having a light emission front surface and an opposing rear surface and a side surface separating the front surface and the rear surface, and a plurality of light extraction features on or within the first optically clear light guide, the light extraction features configured to direct light out through the emission surface;

a second optically clear light guide having an light emission front surface and an opposing rear surface and a side surface separating the front surface and the rear surface and a plurality of light extraction features on or within the second optically clear light guide, the light extraction features configured to direct light out through the emission surface;

a first low index layer separating the rear surface of the first optically clear light guide from the front surface of the second optically clear light guide, the first low index layer having an index of refraction being less than an index of refraction of the first optically clear light guide and the second optically clear light guide;

a first light source configured to direct light into the side surface of the first optically clear light guide, the first light source indicating a first signal function;

a second light source configured to direct light into the side surface of the second optically clear light guide, the second light source indicating a second signal function; and

a light reflection element, where the second optically clear light guide is disposed between the first optically clear light guide and the light reflection element.

11. A taillight article according to claim 1, wherein the first optically clear light guide plurality of light extraction features are disposed on or adjacent to the rear surface of the first optically clear light guide and the second optically clear light guide plurality of light extraction features are disposed on or adjacent to the rear surface of the second optically clear light guide.

12. A taillight article according to claim 1, wherein light emitted from the second optically clear light guide emission surface transmits through the first optically clear light guide.

13. A taillight article according to claim 1, wherein the first light source is configured to direct a first colored light into the first optically clear light guide side surface and the second light source is configured to direct a second colored light into the second optically clear light guide side surface, and the first colored light is a different color than the second colored light.

14. A taillight article according to claim 1, wherein the first optically clear light guide and the second optically clear light guide are curved.

15. A taillight article according to claim 14, wherein a portion of the first optically clear light guide plurality of light extraction features are disposed on or adjacent to the front surface of the first optically clear light guide.

16. A taillight article according to claim 1, wherein the first signal function and second signal function are different signal functions.

17. A taillight article according to claim 1, wherein the first signal function is a running light function and second signal function is a braking light function.

18. A taillight article according to claim 1, further comprising:

a third optically clear light guide having an light emission front surface and a light extraction rear surface and a side surface separating the front surface and the rear surface and a plurality of light extraction features on or adjacent to the rear surface, the light extraction features configured to direct light out through the emission surface;

a second low index layer separating the rear surface of the second optically clear light guide from the front surface of the third optically clear light guide, the second low index layer having an index of refraction being less than an index of refraction of either the second optically clear light guide or the third optically clear light guide; and

a third light source configured to direct light into the side surface of the third optically clear light guide, the third light source indicating a third signal function, and light emitted from the third optically clear light guide transmits through the first and second optically clear light guides;

wherein the third optically clear light guide is disposed between the second optically clear light guide and the light reflection element.

19. A taillight article according to claim 1, further comprising:

a fourth optically clear light guide having an light emission front surface and a light extraction rear surface and a side surface separating the front surface and the rear surface and a plurality of light extraction features on or adjacent to the rear surface, the light extraction features configured to direct light out through the emission surface; and

a third low index layer separating the rear surface of the third optically clear light guide from the front surface of the fourth optically clear light guide, the third low index layer having an index of refraction being less than an index of refraction of either the third optically clear light guide or the fourth optically clear light guide;

wherein the fourth optically clear light guide is disposed between the third optically clear light guide and the light reflection element.

20. A taillight article according to claim 1, wherein the optically clear light guide light extraction features have a feature size in a range from 5 to 750 micrometers.

21. A taillight article according to claim 1, wherein the optically clear light guide light extraction features have a feature size in a range from 30 to 600 micrometers.

22. A taillight article according to claim 1, wherein an inner-most light guide light has extraction features in a size range from 5 to 1500 micrometers.

23. A taillight article according to claim 1, wherein the light reflection element reflects at least 90% of incident light.

24. A taillight article according to claim 1, wherein the taillight article is a laminate monolithic construction.

25. A taillight article according to claim 1, wherein the light reflection element comprises indicia or a graphical element that is observable by a viewer.

26. A taillight article according to claim 1, wherein the taillight article has a total thickness in a range from 0.2 to 2 cm.

27. A taillight article according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the low index layers are air gaps.

28. A taillight article according to claim 1, wherein the first optically clear light guide and the second optically clear light guide and the third optically clear light guide are curved.

29. A taillight article according to claim 28 wherein a portion of the first optically clear light guide and the second optically clear light guide and the third optically clear light guide plurality of light extraction features are disposed on or adjacent to the front surface of the first optically clear light guide.

30. A taillight article according to claim 1, wherein an adhesive is disposed on a rear surface of the taillight article, the adhesive being configured to fix the taillight article to a vehicle.

31. A taillight article according to claim 1, wherein the light reflection element is colored.

32. A taillight article according to claim 18, wherein the first signal function, second signal function and third signal functions are different signal functions selected from the group consisting of a running light function, a turning signal function, a braking signal function, and a back-up signal function.

33. A taillight article according to claim 19, wherein the first signal function, second signal function, third signal function, and fourth signal function are different signal functions selected from the group consisting of a running light function, a turning signal function, a braking signal function, and a back-up signal function.

34. A taillight article according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of one or more of the optically clear light guide emission surfaces are not covered by one or more adjacent optically clear light guides.

35. A taillight article according to claim 1, wherein the light extraction features form a pattern shaped as indicia or a graphical element that is observable by a viewer.

36. A taillight article according to claim 1, wherein the first optically clear light guide light extraction features emit light in a direction that is different than a direction of light emitted from the second optically clear light guide light extraction features.

37. A taillight article according to claim 1, further comprising a direct lit light source transmitting light through the optically clear light guides.

2-10. -10. (canceled)