Inconspicuous light sources particularly for vehicular applications

• US 5,816,681 A
• Filed: 11/02/1995
• Issued: 10/06/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kaiser Optical Systems, Inc. (Endress+Hauser AG)
• Original Assignee: Kaiser Optical Systems, Inc. (Endress+Hauser AG)
• Inventors: Tedesco, James M.
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Shea, Sandra L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Spark, Matthew J.
• Application Number:
  US08/552,268
• Time in Patent Office: 1,069 Days
• Field of Search: 362/19, 362/80, 362/351, 362/293, 362/800, 362/355, 359/15, 359/19
• US Class Current: 362/459
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/14 Light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/247 with a single light source being coupled into the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/251 the light guides being used to transmit light from remote light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/255 Filters
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/26 Refractors, transparent cover plates, light guides or filters not provided in groups F21S43/235 - F21S43/255
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 5/002 using microoptical elements for redirecting or diffusing light
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0008 the light being emitted at the end of the fibre
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0026 Wavelength selective element, sheet or layer, e.g. filter or grating
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0028 Light guide, e.g. taper
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0051 Diffusing sheet or layer
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 1/2202 Reconstruction geometries or arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

A lighting assembly includes an on/off source of light and an optical diffuser characterized in that it receives light from the source and emits it in a desired viewing direction, but with underlying surfaces being at least diffusely visible therethrough. Thus, in an automotive or other vehicular application, the surface may be a body panel, the color of which may be visibly evident through the diffuser panel, thereby enhancing desired aerodynamic/styling characteristics. The source of light preferably comprises one or more semiconductor devices such as light-emitting diodes, and the optical diffuser is holographically recorded and provide high transmission and low backscatter to shape the emitted light in addition to its redirection in accordance with a desired beam profile or cross section.

Claims

1. A light-emitting assembly for installation over a colored surface, comprising:

a source of light which may be turned on and off;

a visibly featureless optical diffuser having a back surface to receive light directly from the source and a front surface from which the light emerges in a predetermined scattering pattern, the diffuser having sufficiently high light transmission and low backscatter that the colored surface is at least diffusely visible through the diffuser when the source of light is turned off.

2. The light-emitting assembly of claim 1 wherein the diffuser is fabricated using a holographic recording.

3. The light-emitting assembly of claim 1 further including light collimating means disposed between the source of light and the diffuser.

4. The light-emitting assembly of claim 1 including a light-emitting diode as the source of light.

5. The light-emitting assembly of claim 1 including the source of light is of a particular color.

6. The light-emitting assembly of claim 1 wherein the colored surface comprises a portion of a vehicle body.

7. The light-emitting assembly of claim 1 further including means to collimate the light before reaching the diffuser.

8. A light-emitting assembly, comprising:

an object having a colored surface;

a visibly featureless optical diffuser disposed over the surface; and

an on/off source of light supported behind the diffuser and oriented theretoward so that the light is scattered by the diffuser when the source is turned on, the diffuser having sufficiently high light transmission and low backscatter that the colored surface is at least diffusely visible through the diffuser when the source of light is turned off.

9. The light-emitting assembly of claim 8 wherein the optical diffuser is a holographic diffuser.

10. The light-emitting assembly of claim 8 wherein the on/off source of light is a colored source of light.

11. The light-emitting assembly of claim 8 wherein the object is a motor vehicle body.

12. A vehicle light, comprising:

an optical diffuser supported over and covering a portion of a surface of a motor vehicle;

an on/off source for backlighting the optical diffuser, the diffuser having sufficiently high light transmission and low backscatter that the surface of the vehicle is at least diffusely visible through the diffuser when the source is off.

13. The vehicle light of claim 12 wherein the optical diffuser and source function cooperatively as a head lamp of the vehicle.

14. The vehicle light of claim 12 wherein the optical diffuser and source function cooperatively as a tail lamp of the vehicle.

15. The vehicle light of claim 12 wherein the optical diffuser and source function cooperatively as a brake light of the vehicle.

16. The vehicle light of claim 12 wherein the optical diffuser and source function cooperatively as a running light of the vehicle.