Optics for separation of high and low intensity light

• US 6,164,799 A
• Filed: 09/18/1998
• Issued: 12/26/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Decoma International Corporation
• Original Assignee: Decoma International Corporation
• Inventors: Passera, Robert, Hirmer, Gerhard F.
• Primary Examiner(s): CARIASO, ALAN B
• Application Number:
  US09/156,330
• Time in Patent Office: 830 Days
• Field of Search: 362/26, 362/31, 362/327, 362/330, 362/339
• US Class Current: 362/330
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/24 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 43/249 with two or more light sources being coupled into the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/003 Lens or lenticular sheet or layer
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0048 with stepwise taper

Abstract

A separation optics structure comprising a transparent unitary body portion extending between a first wide end and a second distal end defines a wedge-shaped structure. The body portion includes a front portion defining a generally planar front illumination surface, a back portion having a plurality of beveled redirecting facets spaced apart by intermediate areas, and a plurality of optics elements disposed within the intermediate areas. A first light source is coupled at the wide end to transmitted light longitudinally through the body portion toward the redirecting facets. The redirecting facets having reflective surfaces transverse to the planar front illumination surface to reflect and scatter the light toward the front surface in a relatively low intensity light distribution. A second light source is coupled adjacent the back portion behind the intermediate areas. The optics elements transmit the light directly through the intermediate areas toward the front surface in a relative high intensity light distribution. The optics elements may also include concave, convex and/or facet for shaping the direct light toward the front illumination surface.

Claims

1. A separation optics structure comprising:

a transparent unitary body portion extending between first and second ends, said body portion having a front portion defining a front illumination surface,

a back portion including a plurality of beveled redirecting facets separated by intermediate areas, said facets redirect and scatter light received from one of said first and second ends toward said front illumination surface, and

an optics element disposed within at least one of said intermediate areas, said optics element having any one of a projection and depression, said optics element directing light received from said intermediate area directly towards said front illumination surface.

2. A separation optics structure as set forth in claim 1 further including a plurality of optics elements disposed on each of said intermediate areas for directing light to said front illumination surface.

3. A separation optics structure as set forth in claim 2 wherein said front illumination surface is generally planar, said intermediate areas spaced generally parallel to said planar front illumination surface and said redirecting facets spaced apart by said intermediate areas, said redirecting facets having a reflective surface generally transverse to said front surface and said intermediate areas.

4. A separation optics structure as set forth in claim 3 wherein said intermediate areas of said transparent unitary body portion extend from a leading edge of one of said facets to a trailing edge of said adjacent facet defining a wedge-shaped transparent unitary body portion extending longitudinally from a first wide end to a second distal end.

5. A separation optics structure as set forth in claim 4 wherein said front illumination surface includes a cover lens for shaping the light directed from said facets and said optics elements into a predetermined pattern.

6. A separation optics structure as set forth in claim 4 wherein said redirecting facets include a vacuum deposited aluminum coating.

7. A separation optics structure as set forth in claim 4 wherein said optics elements each include said depression in the configuration of a concave surface extending between said adjacent redirecting facets.

8. A separation optics structure as set forth in claim 4 wherein said optics elements each include said projection in the configuration of a convex surface extending between said adjacent redirecting facets.

9. A separation optics structure as set forth in claim 4 wherein said optics elements each include said projection and depression in the configuration of a convex surface portion and a concave surface portion respectfully, extending between said adjacent redirecting facets.

10. A separation optics structure as set forth in claim 4 wherein said optics elements each include said projection and depression in the configuration of a plurality of facets disposed transverse to said planar front illumination surface between said adjacent redirecting facets.

11. A separation optics structure comprising:

a transparent unitary body portion extending between first and second ends, said body portion having a front portion defining a front illumination surface,

a back portion including a plurality of beveled redirecting facets separated by intermediate areas, said facets redirect and scatter light received from one of said first and second ends toward said front illumination surface,

a back light source disposed behind said intermediate area, and

an optics element disposed within at least one of said intermediate areas, said optics element directing light received from said back light source directly towards said front illumination surface.

12. A separation optics structure as set forth in claim 11 further including a plurality of optics elements disposed on each of said intermediate areas for directing light to said front illumination surface.

13. A separation optics structure as set forth in claim 12 wherein said front illumination surface is generally planar, said intermediate areas spaced generally parallel to said planar front illumination surface and said redirecting facets spaced apart by said intermediate areas, and said redirecting facets having a reflective surface generally transverse to said front surface and said intermediate areas.

14. A separation optics structure as set forth in claim 13 wherein said intermediate areas of said transparent unitary body portion extend from a leading edge of one of said facets to a trailing edge of said adjacent facet defining a wedge-shaped transparent unitary body portion extending longitudinally from a first wide end to a second distal end.

15. A separation optics structure as set forth in claim 14 wherein said redirecting facets include a vacuum deposited aluminum coating.

16. A separation optic structure as set forth in claim 14 wherein said optics element has any one of a projection and depression.

17. A separation optics structure as set forth in claim 16 wherein said optics elements each include said depression in the configuration of a concave surface extending between said adjacent redirecting facets.

18. A separation optics structure as set forth in claim 16 wherein said optics elements each include said projection in the configuration of a convex surface extending between said adjacent redirecting facets.

19. A separation optics structure as set forth in claim 16 wherein said optics elements each include said projection and depression in the configuration of a convex surface portion and a concave surface portion, respectfully, extending between said adjacent redirecting facets.

20. A separation optics structure as set forth in claim 16 wherein said optics elements each include said projection and depression in the configuration of a plurality of facets disposed transverse to said planar front illumination surface between said adjacent redirecting facets.