Lighting or indicating apparatus for a motor vehicle, having improved light diffusing means

• US 6,464,382 B1
• Filed: 07/05/2000
• Issued: 10/15/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Valeo Vision (Valeo SE)
• Original Assignee: Valeo Vision (Valeo SE)
• Inventors: Duflos, Vincent
• Primary Examiner(s): LEE, Y MY QUACH
• Application Number:
  US09/611,579
• Time in Patent Office: 832 Days
• Field of Search: 362/326, 362/327, 362/328, 362/330, 362/329, 362/355, 362/308, 362/311, 362/520, 362/336
• US Class Current: 362/520
• 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 2200/30 of light guides doped with fluorescent agents
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/04 characterised by materials, surface treatments or coatings

Abstract

Lighting apparatus for a motor vehicle, for illuminating or signalling purposes, comprises a light source cooperating with optical diffusing means. The diffusing means comprise a plate through which the light passes from the light source. The mass of this plate is made of a transparent first material having a first refractive index, and in which are embedded inclusions of a transparent second material having a different refractive index.

Claims

1. Light emitting apparatus for a motor vehicle, comprising:

a light source;

a diffusing means disposed in relation to the light source so as to receive light from the light source to diffuse said light, wherein said diffusing means comprise a plate translucent to said light, said plate comprising a mass of a transparent first material having a first refractive index; and

a plurality of inclusions embedded in said mass, each of said inclusions having a multi-layered structure, said multi-layered structure having a core and at least one successive layer, wherein said core and said at least one successive layer are constructed from different materials, at least one successive layer being constructed of said first material and said core being of a transparent second material having a second refractive index different from the first refractive index, wherein ratio x of said first refractive index and said second refractive index lies in the range of 0.93≦

×

<

1 and 1<

×

≦

1.02, wherein said ratio is not 1.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of said inclusions is substantially spherical in shape.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of said inclusions has a size in the approximate range 0.1 μ

m to 100 μ

m.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said inclusions constitute a proportion in the range 0.05 to 5% of the weight of the plate.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first material is a polymethylmethacrylate and said second material is from the family of polyacrvlates.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first and second materials are uncolored.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first material is colored and said second material uncolored.

8. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the said first and second materials are colored.

9. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said plate has two opposed faces, with reliefs formed on one of said faces for deflecting said light by refraction.

10. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said plate is a component selected from the group consisting of cover glasses, globes and optics.

11. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprised of said light source and said diffusing means is an indicating light for mounting outside of said motor vehicle.

12. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprised of said light source and said diffusing means is an internal illuminating apparatus of said vehicle.

13. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprised of said light source and said diffusing means is an apparatus for mounting inside the motor vehicle for giving signals to a driver of the vehicle.

14. A light emitting apparatus for a motor vehicle, comprising:

a light source;

a refraction means located in front of said light source so as to receive light from said light source and diffuse said light, said refraction means comprising a plate having a first side proximate to said light source and a second side, said plate being translucent to said light;

said first side having a plurality of toroidal elements thereon such that said light falls upon said toroidal elements; and

inclusions embedded in said plate, each of said inclusions having a multi-layered structure, said multi-layered structure comprising a core and at least one successive layer, wherein said core and said at least one successive layer are constructed from two different materials, wherein ratio x of refractive index of said two different materials lies in the range of 0.93≦

×

<

1 and 1<

×

≦

1.02 wherein said ratio is not 1.

15. The light emitting apparatus of claim 14, wherein said plate and said at least one successive layer are constructed of polymethylmethacrylate and said core is constructed of a material from the family of polyacrylates.