FIBER OPTIC LIGHTING DEVICE WITH PLURAL LIGHT INPUTS

• US 20180094790A1
• Filed: 09/30/2016
• Published: 04/05/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Valeo North America Incorporated (Valeo SE)
• Original Assignee: Valeo North America Incorporated (Valeo SE)
• Inventors: GREENE, Kayla, Orisich, John, Potter, Brant, Baker, Patton Davis
• Granted Patent: US 10,060,587 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/08 automatically
• 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 41/141 Light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/24 Light guides
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/14 Light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/237 rod-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: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/001 the light being emitted along at least a portion of the lateral surface of the fibre
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/04 formed by bundles of fibres G02B6/24 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/10 Controlling the intensity of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/105 in response to determined parameters

Abstract

In one embodiment, a lighting device for a vehicle includes a first light source configured to generate first light, and a second light source configured to generate second light. A fiber optic light panel is optically coupled to the first and second light sources and includes a plurality of optical fibers each configured to emit light along a respective length of the optical fiber. The plurality of optical fibers are arranged to define an illumination region such that the first and second light is output from the illumination region.

Claims

1. A lighting device for a vehicle, comprising:

a first light source configured to generate first light;

a second light source configured to generate second light; and

a fiber optic light panel optically coupled to said first and second light sources, the fiber optic light panel comprising a plurality of optical fibers configured to emit light along a respective length of the optical fiber and the plurality of optical fibers are arranged to define an illumination region such that said first and second light is output from the illumination region.

2. The lighting device of claim 1, wherein said first and second light sources are connected to opposing ends of each of the plurality of optical fibers.

3. The lighting device of claim 2, wherein the first and second light sources are configured to generate first and second light of a same type.

4. The lighting device of claim 2, wherein the first and second light sources are configured to generate first and second light of different types.

5. The lighting device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of optical fibers are positioned side-by-side in a same plane and alternatingly coupled said first and second light sources respectively.

6. The lighting device of claim 5, wherein the plurality of optical fibers are individually alternatingly coupled to the first and second light sources respectively.

7. The lighting device of claim 5, wherein of the plurality of optical fibers comprise multiple groups of adjacently arranged fibers, and said multiple groups are alternatingly coupled to the first and second light sources.

8. The lighting device of claim 1, wherein said plrarality of optical fibers are provided in a single integral lighting panel.

9. The lighting device of claim 1, wherein said plurality of optical fibers are provided in respective sub-panels arranged side-by-side to form said panel.

10. The lighting device of claim 1, wherein said plurality of optical fibers are provided in respective sub-panels arranged to at least partially overlap one another.

11. The lighting device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of optical fibers comprise:

first optical fibers that receive said first light from a first side of the illumination region; and

second optical fibers that receive said second light from a second side of the illumination region such that the first and second lights travel in different directions in said illumination region.

12. The lighting device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of optical fibers each receive light from a same side of the illumination region such that the first and second lights travel in a same direction in said illumination region.

13. The lighting device of claim 1, further comprising a controller configured to control the first and second light sources to achieve different light output characteristics from the panel.

14. The lighting device of claim 13, wherein said controller is configured to controls aid first and second light sources to achieve at least one of spatial effects and dynamic effects of light output in the illumination region.

15. A method for operating a fiber optic light panel having a plurality of optical fibers configured to emit light along a respective length of the optical fiber and the plurality of optical fibers are arranged to define an illumination region, the method comprising:

coupling first light to at least one of the plurality of optical fibers of the panel;

coupling second light to at least another of the optical fibers of the panel; and

controlling timing of said coupling of the first and second light to provide different light output characteristics from said illumination region for different automotive lighting functions.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said different light output characteristics comprise different colors suitable for the different automotive lighting functions respectively.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein said different light output characteristics comprise different brightness outputs suitable for the different automotive lighting functions respectively.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein said controlling comprises controlling timing of said coupling of the first and second light to provide dynamic lighting effects from said panel.

19. A fiber optic lighting panel comprising:

a fiber portion including a plurality of optical fibers each configured to emit light along a respective length of the optical fiber, and the plurality of optical fibers are arranged to define an illumination region of the panel;

an optical reflective portion provided on a first side of the fiber portion; and

a light transmission portion provided on a second side of the fiber portion which is opposite to said first side, wherein at least one of the fiber portion, optical reflective portion and transmission portion is configured to produce spatial variation in a light output characteristic emitted from said light emitting region.

20. The fiber optic lighting panel of claim 19 wherein at least one of the fiber portion, optical reflective portion and transmission portion has a physical property which is changed over an area of the light emitting region.