Vehicle light

• US 7,614,768 B2
• Filed: 10/18/2005
• Issued: 11/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: Stanitzok, Ewald, Haack, Albrecht
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee; Y My Quach
• Application Number:
  US11/666,469
• Publication Number:
  US 20080062710A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,484 Days
• Field of Search: 362/327, 362/330, 362/503, 362/511, 362/602, 362/615, 362/616, 362/623, 362/625, 362/628
• US Class Current: 362/327
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/302 mounted in the vicinity, e.g. in the middle, of a rear window
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/14 Light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/239 plate-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/243 emitting light from one or more of its extremities
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/249 with two or more light sources being coupled into the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/30 characterised by reflectors

Abstract

A vehicle light has at least one light source and a light guide device into which light emitted by the light source can be directed and which possesses output means for outputting the light or a portion of the light. Diverting means are provided between the light source and the output means in such a way that widening and parallelization of the light takes place inside the light guide device. The diverting means comprise at lest one incision constructed on the light guide device which defines internal reflection surfaces for diverting the light laterally from a main beam direction of the at least one light source, and an end face of the light guide device that has external reflection surfaces that divert light already diverted laterally previously in the main beam direction of the at least one light source.

Claims

1. A vehicle light, in particular brake light, having at least one light source and a light guide device into which light emitted by the light source can be directed and which possesses output means for outputting the light or a portion of the light, wherein between the light source and the output means diverting means are provided in such a way that inside the light guide device widening and parallelization of the light takes place, and wherein the diverting means comprise at least one incision constructed on the light guide device which defines internal reflection surfaces for diverting the light laterally from a main beam direction of the at least one light source, and wherein an end face of the light guide device, has external reflection surfaces that form part of the diverting means and that divert light already diverted laterally previously in the main beam direction of the at least one light source;

wherein the incision extends all the way through the light guide device;

wherein a first incision arranged in the main beam direction of the light source possesses front internal reflection surfaces by means of which light emitted substantially in the main beam direction of the light source is laterally divertible; and

wherein a second and third incision each arranged outside the main beam direction of the light source each have a front and/or rear internal reflection surface, wherein by means of the front internal reflection surfaces light whose beam direction is inclined at an angle differing from zero to the main beam direction of the light source is laterally divertible and/or due to the rear internal reflection surfaces light already diverted laterally previously is divertible in the main beam direction of the light source.

2. A vehicle light according to claim 1, wherein the light guide device has a plate-shaped basic form.

3. A vehicle light according to claim 1 wherein the diverting means are constructed for the multiple twofold diversion of the light.

4. A vehicle light according to claim 1, wherein for each light source said plurality of incisions are provided which are arranged with mirror symmetry with respect to a central plane.

5. A vehicle light according to claim 1 wherein the external reflection surfaces are arranged like a cascade or steps.

6. A vehicle light according to claim 5 wherein the external reflection surfaces each associated with a light source are arranged with mirror symmetry with respect to a central plane.

7. A vehicle light according to claim 1 wherein the diverting means are arranged in such away that the widening and parallelization of the light takes place substantially in a plane.

8. A vehicle light according to claim 1 wherein a plurality of light sources are arranged in a row running parallel to at least one reflection surface of the output means.

9. A vehicle light according to claim 1 wherein reflection surfaces for diverting the light are constructed as part of prisms or facets or prism-like or facet-like depressions.

10. A vehicle light according to claim 1 wherein the light guide device is simultaneously constructed as a housing part.