Laser illuminated lighting system utilizing a diffractive optical element

• US 5,890,796 A
• Filed: 01/16/1997
• Issued: 04/06/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Fohl, Timothy, Remillard, Jeffrey Thomas, Marinelli, Michael Anthony, O'Neil, David Allen
• Primary Examiner(s): LEE, Y MY QUACH
• Application Number:
  US08/784,698
• Time in Patent Office: 810 Days
• Field of Search: 362/26, 362/31, 362/32, 362/307, 362/308, 362/309, 362/328, 362/511, 362/520, 362/552, 362/553
• US Class Current: 362/307
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0011 with light guides for distributing the light between several lighting or signalling devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/26 the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic
• 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 43/251 the light guides being used to transmit light from remote light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/26 Refractors, transparent cover plates, light guides or filters not provided in groups F21S43/235 - F21S43/255

Abstract

A lamp assembly for an automotive vehicle includes a remote laser light source coupled with a light transmitting fiber optic light guide which illuminates a unitary thin sheet optic having a diffractive optical element portion, a manifold section, and a kicker section.

Claims

1. A manifold for transmitting light from a light source for use in an automotive vehicle, said manifold comprising:

a sheet of optical material having a front surface, a back surface, a perimeter edge and a plurality of reflective facets disposed in said optical material; and

a diffractive optical element disposed integral with or on said perimeter edge and dividing said light into a predetermined number of equal intensity light beams transmitted through said optical material to said facets.

2. A manifold according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of reflective facets are equivalent in number to said predetermined number of light beams.

3. A manifold according to claim 2, wherein each of said plurality of reflective facets is situated to reflect a corresponding one of said predetermined number of light beams.

4. A manifold according to claim 1, wherein said sheet of optical material is a transparent polymer.

5. A manifold according to claim 1, wherein said sheet of optical material has a thickness between 10 μ

m-6 mm.

6. A manifold according to claim 1, wherein said sheet of optical material and said diffractive optical element are unitary in structure.

7. A manifold according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of reflective facets are apertures formed in said sheet of optical material so as to create a plastic-air interface.

8. A manifold according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of reflective facets each has a curvilinear reflecting surface.

9. A lamp assembly for use in an automotive vehicle, said lamp assembly comprising:

(a) a light source for generating light;

(b) an optical element positioned with respect to said light source for receiving light therefrom, said optical element comprising;

(i) a sheet of optical material having a front surface, a back surface and a perimeter edge, said sheet of optical material having a plurality of reflective facets disposed therein;

(ii) a diffractive optical element disposed integral with or on said perimeter edge, positioned to receive said light, and dividing light into a predetermined number of equal intensity light beams, said light beams transmitted through said optical material to said plurality of reflective facets; and

(iii) A kicker portion adjacent said sheet of optical material having a plurality of reflective steps extending a length of said optical material, each of said reflective steps being aligned with said plurality of reflective facets and skewed with respect to said front surface.

10. A lamp assembly according to claim 9, wherein said light source is a diode laser.

11. A lamp assembly according to claim 9, wherein said optical material has a thickness between 10 μ

m-6 mm.

12. A lamp assembly according to claim 9, wherein said optical material is unitary in structure.

13. A lamp assembly according to claim 12, wherein said unitary optical material is comprised of a polymeric material.