MULTIFUNCTION LIGHTGUIDE TAILIGHT ARTICLE

• US 20150330593A1
• Filed: 12/16/2013
• Published: 11/19/2015
• 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: Larsen, Jeremy K., Ender, David A., Sahlin, Jennifer J., Vick, Karl A., Griffin, Michael E., Schnobrich, Scott M., Hao, Bing
• Application Number:
  US14/652,158
• Publication Number:
  US 20150330593A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2607 comprising at least two indicating lamps
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/381 with several light sources activated in sequence, e.g. to create a sweep effect
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/14 Light emitting diodes [LED]
• 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 43/249 with two or more light sources being coupled into the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0036 2-D arrangement of prisms, protrusions, indentations or roughened surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0068 Arrangements of plural sources, e.g. multi-colour light sources

Abstract

A taillight article (100) including a light guide (110) having an light emission front surface (112) and a rear surface (114) and a plurality of light extraction features (116) on or within the light guide (110), configured to direct light out through the emission surface (112), is described. A first light source (120) indicing a first signal function is configured to direct light in a first direction into a side surface (118) of the light guide. A second light source (130) indicating a second signal function is configured to direct light in a second direction into a second side surface (119) of the light guide, the second direction being different than the first direction.

Claims

1. A taillight article comprising:

a light guide having an light emission front surface and a 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 light guide, the light extraction features configured to direct light out through the emission surface;

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

a second light source configured to direct light in a second direction into a second side surface of the light guide, the second light source indicating a second signal function and the second direction being different than the first direction.

2. A taillight article according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of light extraction features comprises a first plurality of light extraction features configured to selectively direct light, from substantially only the first light source, out through the emission surface.

3. A taillight article according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of light extraction features comprises a second plurality of light extraction features configured to selectively direct light, from substantially only the second light source, out through the emission surface.

11. A taillight article according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the light guide is optically clear.

12. A taillight article according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of light extraction features are disposed on or adjacent to the rear surface of the light guide.

13. A taillight article according to claim 1, wherein the light guide is curved.

14. A taillight article according to claim 13, wherein a portion of the plurality of light extraction features is disposed on or adjacent to the front surface of the light guide.

15. A taillight article according to claim 1, wherein the first light source and the second light source are configured to direct different colored light into the of the light guide.

16. A taillight article according to claim 1, wherein the first light source is configured to direct light in a first side surface of the light guide, and the second light source is configured to direct light in a second side surface of the light guide, the second side being different than the first side.

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

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

19. A taillight article according to claim 1, further comprising a rear surface of the taillight article adjacent the light guide rear surface and the rear surface of the taillight article is a light reflection element reflecting at least 70% of incident light.

20. A taillight article according to claim 1, further comprising a rear surface of the taillight article adjacent the light guide rear surface, wherein the rear surface of the taillight article is colored.

21. A taillight article according to claim 19, wherein the light reflection element or the rear surface of the taillight article comprise indicia or a graphical element that are observable by a viewer.

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

23. A taillight article according to claim 1, wherein the taillight article has a total thickness in a range from 0.2 to 30 mm.

24. 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.

25. A taillight article according to claim 1, wherein the first signal function and second signal function are simultaneously displayed.

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

27. A taillight article according to claim 1, wherein the first signal function is displayed in a first region of the light guide and second signal function is displayed in a second region of the light guide, and the first region is not optically isolated from the second region.

28. A taillight article according to claim 1, wherein the first signal function is displayed in a first region of the light guide and second signal function is displayed in a second region of the light guide, and an optical isolation element separates the first region from the second region.

29. A taillight article according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of light extraction features form indicia that are visible to a viewer indicating a first signal function or a second signal function.

30. A taillight article according to claim 1, further comprising a third light source configured to direct light in a third direction into the light guide, the third light source indicating a third signal function and the third direction being different than the first direction and the second direction.

31. A taillight article according to claim 1, further comprising a direct lit light source directing light through the light guide and indicating a direct lit signal function being a braking signal function or a back-up signal function.

32. A taillight article according to claim 31, wherein the direct lit signal function is a braking signal function or a back-up signal function and the first signal function is a running light function and second signal function is a turning light function.

33. A taillight article according to claim 1, 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.

34. A taillight article according to claim 1, comprising at least a selected first plurality of light extraction features in which each extraction feature is defined as a wedge shape having a light reflection surface that directs light from the first light source out of the light guide and at least a selected second plurality of light extraction features in which each extraction feature is defined as a wedge shape having a light reflection surface that direct light from the second light source out of the light guide.

35. A taillight article according to claim 34, comprising at least a selected first plurality of light extraction features in which each extraction feature is defined as a wedge having positive cylindrical sag or at least a selected second plurality of light extraction features in which each extraction feature is defined as a wedge having positive cylindrical sag.

36. A taillight article according to claim 34, wherein at least a selected first plurality of light extraction features each define a wedge having negative cylindrical sag or at least a selected second plurality of light extraction features define a wedge having a negative cylindrical sag.

37. A taillight article according to claim 11, wherein the plurality of light extraction features have a maximum feature size in a range from 30 to 350 micrometers and an average spacing between adjacent light extraction features in a range from 125 to 725 micrometers.

38. A taillight article according to claim 1, further comprising a fourth light source configured to light in a fourth direction into the light guide, the fourth light source indicating a fourth signal function and the fourth direction being different than the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction.

39. A taillight article according to claim 38, wherein the first light source, second light source, third light source and fourth light source all inject light into an edge of the light guide.

40. A taillight article according to claim 38, 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.

41. A taillight article according to claim 1, wherein the taillight article has a total thickness in a range from 0.2 to 30 cm.

42. A taillight article according to claim 39, wherein the taillight article has a total thickness in a range from 0.2 to 30 mm.

43. A taillight article according to claim 26, wherein the turning light function comprises multiple regions along the lightguide that are sequentially illuminated.

4-10. -10. (canceled)