Optical waveguide structures

• US 6,238,074 B1
• Filed: 07/02/1998
• Issued: 05/29/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Rebo Lighting & Electronics, LLC
• Original Assignee: Cooper Automotive Products Inc (Apollo Global Management, Inc.)
• Inventors: Hulse, George R., Anderson, James Burr Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Spyrou, Cassandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): Curtis, Craig
• Application Number:
  US09/109,051
• Time in Patent Office: 1,062 Days
• Field of Search: 362/31, 362/551, 362/558, 362/581
• US Class Current: 362/551
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0011 with light guides for distributing the light between several lighting or signalling devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/66 for distributing light among several lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2006/12119 Bend
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2006/1215 Splitter
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0001 specially adapted for lighting devices or systems lighting or signalling on vehicles using light guides B60Q1/00; lighting devices for vehicle dashboards B60Q3/10; lighting devices for vehicle interior using light guides B60Q3/62; lighting devices mounted on the vehicle rear part using light guides F21S43/235; measuring arrangements having light conducting pointers G01D13/265; illumination of liquid crystal displays G02F1/1336; illuminated signs G09F13/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0005 the light guides being of the fibre type G02B6/0003 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0006 Coupling light into the fibre in general G02B6/4298
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4298 coupling with non-coherent light sources and/or radiation detectors, e.g. lamps, incandescent bulbs, scintillation chambers

Abstract

An optical waveguide structure for distributing light from a light source includes a cylindrical sleeve configured to accommodate and receive light from the light source. The sleeve includes a central axis. A waveguide collar is formed from a solid, planar block of material. The block of material has a central portion configured to accommodate and surround the sleeve. The first and second output arms extend in a plane away from the central portion. The plane is substantially perpendicular to the central axis.

Claims

1. An optical waveguide structure for distributing light from a light source, the structure comprising:

a cylindrical sleeve configured to accommodate and receive light from a light source, the sleeve defining a central longitudinal axis, and

a waveguide collar formed from a solid, planar block of material, the block of material having;

a central portion defining at least one edge and configured to accommodate and surround the sleeve, and

a plurality of output arms extending in a plane outwardly from the central portion beyond the edge thereof, the plane being substantially perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis.

2. The optical waveguide structure of claim 1, wherein the sleeve is configured to confine a portion of light from the light source through internal reflection and to transmit the light away from the light source in the direction of the central longitudinal axis.

3. The optical waveguide structure of claim 1, wherein the sleeve is longer in the direction of the central axis than a thickness of the central portion in that direction.

4. The optical waveguide structure of claim 1, wherein the sleeve comprises rim portions, the rim portions positioned to define gaps, the gaps being configured to accommodate locking tabs of a lamp base.

5. The optical waveguide structure of claim 1, further comprising an integral lens portion formed at an end of the first arm.

6. A waveguide collar for distributing light from a light source, the collar comprising a solid, planar block of material, the block of material having:

a central portion configured to accommodate a light source, the central portion surrounding the light source in a plane and defining at least one edge, and

a plurality of output arms extending in the plane away from the central portion, and beyond the edge thereof, wherein a thickness of the central portion in a direction perpendicular to the plane is less than a thickness of the output arms in the direction perpendicular to the plane.

7. The waveguide collar of claim 6, further comprising a cylindrical sleeve configured to accommodate and receive light from a light source, the sleeve being positioned within the central portion.

8. A waveguide collar for distributing light from a light source, the collar comprising a solid, planar block of material, the block of material having:

a hub defining an interior portion configured to accommodate a light source, the hub having side surfaces on an exterior portion thereof,

alignment notches positioned on the side surfaces, the notches being configured to receive an alignment tab of a waveguide, and

rim portions extending around the interior portion of the hub, the rim portions positioned to define gaps, the gaps being configured to accommodate locking tabs of a lamp base.

9. A waveguide collar for distributing light from a light source, the collar comprising a solid, planar block of material, the block of material having:

a central portion configured to accommodate a light source, the central portion surrounding the light source in a plane,

first and second output arms extending in a plane away from the central portion, the sides of the first and second output arms curving inward toward the central portion to form first and second vertices where the first and second arms meet, and

a lens formed on an edge of the waveguide collar, the lens being configured to receive light from the light source, focus a portion of the light, and transmit the portion of the light away from the collar.

10. The waveguide collar of claim 9, further comprising a cylindrical sleeve configured to accommodate and receive light from a light source, the sleeve being positioned within the central portion.