Optical waveguide structures for vehicle lighting
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An optical waveguide for illuminating the interior of a cup holder in a vehicle, the waveguide comprising a piece of solid material having:
- a ring portion sized and shaped to be received within a cup holder and configured to release light into the cup holder, an input face configured to receive light from a light source, and an input portion connected tangentially to the ring portion and extending between the input face and the ring portion, the input portion being configured to confine light through internal reflection and to direct light from the input face to the ring portion.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An optical waveguide for illuminating the interior of a cup holder in a vehicle is disclosed. The waveguide includes a piece of solid material having a ring portion sized and shaped to be received within a cup holder and configured to release light into the cup holder. An input face receives light from a light source. An input portion extends between the input face and the ring portion. The input portion confines light through internal reflection to direct light from the input face to the ring portion.
139 Citations
14 Claims
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1. An optical waveguide for illuminating the interior of a cup holder in a vehicle, the waveguide comprising a piece of solid material having:
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a ring portion sized and shaped to be received within a cup holder and configured to release light into the cup holder, an input face configured to receive light from a light source, and an input portion connected tangentially to the ring portion and extending between the input face and the ring portion, the input portion being configured to confine light through internal reflection and to direct light from the input face to the ring portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. An optical waveguide for illuminating the interior of a cup holder in a vehicle, the waveguide comprising a piece of solid material having:
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a ring portion sized and shaped to be received within a cup holder and configured to release light into the cup holder;
an input face configured to receive light from a light source, and an input portion extending between the input face and the ring portion, and configured to confine light through internal reflection and to direct light from the input face to the ring portion;
wherein the ring portion defines an inner circumference and has a protruding angled portion around the inner circumference, the angled portion being configured to direct light down toward a bottom portion of the cup holder. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6)
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7. An optical waveguide for illuminating the interior of a cup holder in a vehicle, the waveguide comprising a piece of solid material having:
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a ring portion sized and shaped to be received within a cup holder and configured to release light into the cup holder, an input face configured to receive light from a light source, and an input portion extending between the input face and the ring portion, and configured to confine light through internal reflection and to direct light from the input face to the ring portion;
wherein the ring portion defines an inner circumference and comprises a first arm and a second arm that define the inner circumference with a gap in the inner circumference. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An illuminated cup holder for a vehicle comprising:
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an optical waveguide formed as a piece of solid material having;
a ring portion sized and shaped to be received within the cup holder and configured to release light into the cup holder, an input face configured to receive light from a light source, and an input portion extending between the input face and the ring portion, and configured to confine light through internal reflection and to direct light from the input face to the ring portion;
the cup holder further comprising;
a bottom surface, a side wall extending from the bottom surface and defining a volume shaped and sized to receive a cup, and a rim positioned around an upper edge of the side wall.
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Specification